Book Genre: Comedy and Humor
Publishing Info.: Scholastic Inc., 32 pages
Awards or Honors Received: N/A
Summary: This book is about a seven-year-old girl who thinks she is like everyone else, except for her red hair and freckles. The children at school call her Freckleface Strawberry because of all her freckles. She is so upset about her freckles that she tries everything to get rid of them, such as scrubbing them off and coloring over them with a marker. When that doesn't work she decides to wear a ski mask to school. No one knows who she is. At the end of the day, she meets a grown-up who tells her that she also had freckles when she was little, but hers disappeared when she became an adult. Having some hope, the girl takes off her ski mask and all of her friends are happy to see her. She realizes that despite her freckles, she has a lot of friends who love her very much. The story ends by showing the girl as a grown-up who still has her freckles, but she comes to not let her freckles bother her.
Personal Rating and Reason for Rating: ***Good. I liked this book. I thought the story did a great job of showing readers that some people may look different, but they have feelings just as everyone does. The illustrations in this book were just okay, but I think that the content is definitely a topic that young children can relate to and would be interested in.
Reading Level: 1.6
Interest Level: K-2
Possible Uses of the Text in Integrated Units of Study (Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum): This book could be used as a springboard of ideas for writing about a time when the children were made fun of or witnessed someone being made fun of because they were different. This would be a great social skills lesson on how to treat other people, particularly people who look different. This could be extended to talk about people who have to use wheelchairs, wear braces, wear glasses, etc. This book could also be the introduction to a research project where children have to find out what causes freckles and why some people have them and some people don't.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I do not see any problems with this book.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Sleep, Black Bear, Sleep By: Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple
Genre: Non-Fiction (Rhyming)
Publishing Info: HarperCollins, 32 pages
Awards or honors received: Sleep, Black Bear, Sleep was named a 2005 Golden Kite winner.
Summary: A variety of animals settle down for a winter's nap, knowing that spring will wake them to reenter a warmer, more active world. The book is written in lullaby form which would relax any child before nap time. It teaches about a kindergarten about an important science term (hibernation) and different sets of rhyming words. Each page illustrates a different animal and where they hibernate. The pictures are fiction but the story teaches many facts about the different animals.
Personal rating and reason for rating: ***Good. I liked this book because it would be a great book to introduce the word hibernation. There are many curriculum base activities you could do after reading this book. It was fun to read because you got in a groove when reading because it was written in lullaby form and had lots of rhyming words. I would defiantly use this book when I teach my winter unit and talk about hibernation.
Reading level: Accelerated Reader 3.0 (Third grade)
Interest level: Pre-k through 3rd grade
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
Reading: I could pick one of the animals (the bear) and write the lullaby on large chart paper. Students could come up to the chart paper and circle sight words that they know. (This book had lots of sight words) I would then let them take my sticky strips and place them under the rhyming words. I would have them color code the rhyming words. For example: red sticky strips under the two words like rhyme (snow/slow), green sticky strips under another two words that rhyme (steep/sleep) This helps make the connections for the students. As always, at the end I would ask HOTS questions to check for understanding of the story.
***You could also read this book to review the diagraph ee and ck. (Sleep/black) The students could raise their hand anytime they see or hear the diagraph ee or ck used in the story.
Science/Writing: Ask the students, what is hibernation? How many creatures can you name that hibernate? We would complete a bubble map of the word hibernation. (Hopefully they would name all the animals in the reading selection.) Then I would have the students go back to their seat and copy the bubble map. I would then introduce the animal that we would be learning about that day that hibernates in the winter. (Bear) After completing an interactive Mimio presentation on bears we would make our own bear hibernation out of sheets brought from home. I would have to split the class into two groups. (Boys/girls) Students would have chairs, tape, rubber bands and three sets of sheets and they would have to come up with a way to make a cave for hibernation. We would leave these caves up as long as we could and let the children go inside to complete their SSR time. (Self Selected Reading)
Writing: At the end of the winter/hibernation unit, students could pick their favorite animal that hibernates and complete two sentences about that animal with a detailed setting. The setting should tell me where that animal hibernates at.
Potential problems or difficulties: I do not see any potential problems at this time.
Publishing Info: HarperCollins, 32 pages
Awards or honors received: Sleep, Black Bear, Sleep was named a 2005 Golden Kite winner.
Summary: A variety of animals settle down for a winter's nap, knowing that spring will wake them to reenter a warmer, more active world. The book is written in lullaby form which would relax any child before nap time. It teaches about a kindergarten about an important science term (hibernation) and different sets of rhyming words. Each page illustrates a different animal and where they hibernate. The pictures are fiction but the story teaches many facts about the different animals.
Personal rating and reason for rating: ***Good. I liked this book because it would be a great book to introduce the word hibernation. There are many curriculum base activities you could do after reading this book. It was fun to read because you got in a groove when reading because it was written in lullaby form and had lots of rhyming words. I would defiantly use this book when I teach my winter unit and talk about hibernation.
Reading level: Accelerated Reader 3.0 (Third grade)
Interest level: Pre-k through 3rd grade
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
Reading: I could pick one of the animals (the bear) and write the lullaby on large chart paper. Students could come up to the chart paper and circle sight words that they know. (This book had lots of sight words) I would then let them take my sticky strips and place them under the rhyming words. I would have them color code the rhyming words. For example: red sticky strips under the two words like rhyme (snow/slow), green sticky strips under another two words that rhyme (steep/sleep) This helps make the connections for the students. As always, at the end I would ask HOTS questions to check for understanding of the story.
***You could also read this book to review the diagraph ee and ck. (Sleep/black) The students could raise their hand anytime they see or hear the diagraph ee or ck used in the story.
Science/Writing: Ask the students, what is hibernation? How many creatures can you name that hibernate? We would complete a bubble map of the word hibernation. (Hopefully they would name all the animals in the reading selection.) Then I would have the students go back to their seat and copy the bubble map. I would then introduce the animal that we would be learning about that day that hibernates in the winter. (Bear) After completing an interactive Mimio presentation on bears we would make our own bear hibernation out of sheets brought from home. I would have to split the class into two groups. (Boys/girls) Students would have chairs, tape, rubber bands and three sets of sheets and they would have to come up with a way to make a cave for hibernation. We would leave these caves up as long as we could and let the children go inside to complete their SSR time. (Self Selected Reading)
Writing: At the end of the winter/hibernation unit, students could pick their favorite animal that hibernates and complete two sentences about that animal with a detailed setting. The setting should tell me where that animal hibernates at.
Potential problems or difficulties: I do not see any potential problems at this time.
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People Ear By: Verna Aardema
Book Genre: Fiction/Multicultural Literature
Publishing Info: Dial Books INC and 32 pages
Awards or honors received: The Caldecott Medal
Summary: This book is an African story of a Mosquito who tells a story to an iguana. The iguana does not want to listen to the story, so he puts sticks in his ears and walks off which start a lot of events. All in all the Mosquito is at fault for all the events that happened.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Good – I think its good because of the way the author can pull the readers in with the pictures and the story.
Reading level: 4.0
Interest level: K-3
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum):
This book could be used to demonstrate how stories change from person to person. The students could line up and play the telephone game. This is where the first student starts a sentences and passes it to the next until you reach the last person and that person tells what they heard.
This book could be used for sequencing activities. Students could sequence the events that happen in the story.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I don’t see any.
Publishing Info: Dial Books INC and 32 pages
Awards or honors received: The Caldecott Medal
Summary: This book is an African story of a Mosquito who tells a story to an iguana. The iguana does not want to listen to the story, so he puts sticks in his ears and walks off which start a lot of events. All in all the Mosquito is at fault for all the events that happened.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Good – I think its good because of the way the author can pull the readers in with the pictures and the story.
Reading level: 4.0
Interest level: K-3
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum):
This book could be used to demonstrate how stories change from person to person. The students could line up and play the telephone game. This is where the first student starts a sentences and passes it to the next until you reach the last person and that person tells what they heard.
This book could be used for sequencing activities. Students could sequence the events that happen in the story.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I don’t see any.
A Story A Story By: Gail Haley
Book Genre: Fiction/Multicultural Literature
Publishing Info: Aladdin Publishers and 32 pages
Awards or honors received: The Caldecott Medal
Summary: This is an African American story book. This book has bright pictures. This book is about a man named “Spider Man.” He told a story about how long ago that “no stories on earth to hear” because they belonged to the Sky God. After the Spider Man spun a web to by the stories from the Sky God, he then talked to him. The Sky God demanded some things for payment for the stories. The Spider Man when and got these things and the Sky God said that the Spider Man could have the stories.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Good – I liked it because it is a good story to show student about different cultures and how other people live.
Reading level: 4.2
Interest level: K-6 (I really think that this book is good for any interest level.)
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum):
This would be a great book used during black history month. This book could be used to introduce new vocabulary words. A good lesson would be to have the students list all the things that the Sky God wanted. Have the students put them in the chorological order in which they are read in the book.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: The language in the book.
Publishing Info: Aladdin Publishers and 32 pages
Awards or honors received: The Caldecott Medal
Summary: This is an African American story book. This book has bright pictures. This book is about a man named “Spider Man.” He told a story about how long ago that “no stories on earth to hear” because they belonged to the Sky God. After the Spider Man spun a web to by the stories from the Sky God, he then talked to him. The Sky God demanded some things for payment for the stories. The Spider Man when and got these things and the Sky God said that the Spider Man could have the stories.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Good – I liked it because it is a good story to show student about different cultures and how other people live.
Reading level: 4.2
Interest level: K-6 (I really think that this book is good for any interest level.)
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum):
This would be a great book used during black history month. This book could be used to introduce new vocabulary words. A good lesson would be to have the students list all the things that the Sky God wanted. Have the students put them in the chorological order in which they are read in the book.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: The language in the book.
Mystic Horse By: Paul Goble
Book Genre: Fiction/Folklore
Publishing Info: Harper/Collins Publishers and 36 pages
Awards or honors received: IRA/CBC Children's Choice
Summary: This is a book about a young Indian boy, who believed in horses. He loved his mystery horses so much that he did not do as the horse said and the horse died. The Indian boy learned a lesson on always following directions.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Good – It’s a good book that shows students about following directions.
Reading level: 4.6
Interest level: K-6 (I really think that this book is good for any interest level.)
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum):
This book would be wonderful to have in your library in your classroom. This is a story about following directions. This book would be great to use in lessons on following directions.
Writing – Have students writing about things they need to follow directions to do. Have students share their story.
Students could study the where the Indian boy lived. They could use the map to help them see where the Indian boy lived.
Art – students could do horse crafts.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: The difficulty about death of a horse.
Publishing Info: Harper/Collins Publishers and 36 pages
Awards or honors received: IRA/CBC Children's Choice
Summary: This is a book about a young Indian boy, who believed in horses. He loved his mystery horses so much that he did not do as the horse said and the horse died. The Indian boy learned a lesson on always following directions.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Good – It’s a good book that shows students about following directions.
Reading level: 4.6
Interest level: K-6 (I really think that this book is good for any interest level.)
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum):
This book would be wonderful to have in your library in your classroom. This is a story about following directions. This book would be great to use in lessons on following directions.
Writing – Have students writing about things they need to follow directions to do. Have students share their story.
Students could study the where the Indian boy lived. They could use the map to help them see where the Indian boy lived.
Art – students could do horse crafts.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: The difficulty about death of a horse.
Tiger Woods: Lion on the Links By Jim C. Wheeler
Book Genre: Nonfiction/Biography
Publishing Info: ABDO Publishing and 32 pages
Awards or honors received: Not at this time
Summary: This is a biography about Tiger Woods. It is about how he became a great golfer. This book talks about growing up with golf. It is about all the tournaments he has won and how those made him feel.
Personal rating and reason for rating: **** Great! – I gave this book a great because I loved the book. I am a golfer, so anytime I can share with my students something I enjoy doing is great. What makes the book great is because it gives the students example of how they can do and be anything they want to be.
Reading level: 4.4
Interest level: K-6 (I really think that this book is good for any interest level.)
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum):
This book could be used in Black History month. Have the students trace his tournaments. Then have them make prediction if he is going to win. At the end see how many students were right.
In upper grades they could use this book for book report on Tiger Woods.
This could be used in Physical Education by introducing students to the sport of golf. They could be showed how to hold a golf club. They could take a field trip to a local golf course or have a pro come and speak to the class.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: No I don’t see any.
Publishing Info: ABDO Publishing and 32 pages
Awards or honors received: Not at this time
Summary: This is a biography about Tiger Woods. It is about how he became a great golfer. This book talks about growing up with golf. It is about all the tournaments he has won and how those made him feel.
Personal rating and reason for rating: **** Great! – I gave this book a great because I loved the book. I am a golfer, so anytime I can share with my students something I enjoy doing is great. What makes the book great is because it gives the students example of how they can do and be anything they want to be.
Reading level: 4.4
Interest level: K-6 (I really think that this book is good for any interest level.)
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum):
This book could be used in Black History month. Have the students trace his tournaments. Then have them make prediction if he is going to win. At the end see how many students were right.
In upper grades they could use this book for book report on Tiger Woods.
This could be used in Physical Education by introducing students to the sport of golf. They could be showed how to hold a golf club. They could take a field trip to a local golf course or have a pro come and speak to the class.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: No I don’t see any.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Funny Faces, Wacky Wings and other Silly Big Bird Things by Cynthia L. Copeland and Alexandra P. Lewis
Genre: General Nonfiction
Publishing Info: The Millbrook Press, Inc., 32 pgs.
Summary: This informational book has funny pictures of wacky big birds. Each picture has a description about a big bird, a variety of birds are covered from blue-footed boobies, cranes, spoonbills and penguins. There was even a page describing the extinct Dodo bird. Many of these birds are so big that they can not fly so they have to run or swim. The book is full of words about birds.
Personal Rating: **OK This book has great information, but the pictures don't show the animals natural habitat.
Reading Level: 2.4
Interest Level: K-2
Integration: This book would be great to use for a science unit about birds. It gives a good overview of a lot of birds. It could be used to start a research project and let children pick out a bird to research. This book could start a discussion on all different types of big birds and compare or contrast them with small birds.
In science students can discuss the fact that the Dodo bird is extinct and many of the other birds are endangered.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I do not see any problems in this book.
Publishing Info: The Millbrook Press, Inc., 32 pgs.
Summary: This informational book has funny pictures of wacky big birds. Each picture has a description about a big bird, a variety of birds are covered from blue-footed boobies, cranes, spoonbills and penguins. There was even a page describing the extinct Dodo bird. Many of these birds are so big that they can not fly so they have to run or swim. The book is full of words about birds.
Personal Rating: **OK This book has great information, but the pictures don't show the animals natural habitat.
Reading Level: 2.4
Interest Level: K-2
Integration: This book would be great to use for a science unit about birds. It gives a good overview of a lot of birds. It could be used to start a research project and let children pick out a bird to research. This book could start a discussion on all different types of big birds and compare or contrast them with small birds.
In science students can discuss the fact that the Dodo bird is extinct and many of the other birds are endangered.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I do not see any problems in this book.
I Ain't Gonna Paint No More! by Karen Beaumont
Book Genre: General Fiction
Publishing Info.: Scholastic Inc., 32 pages
Awards or Honors Received: N/A
Summary: This is a hilarious book about a child (the story never reveals if the child is a boy or girl) who gets caught painting all over the walls, floor, and ceiling. The mama catches the child and hides the paint in the top of a closet. However, the child gets the paint again and paints all over his/her body. At the end of the book, the child uses all of the paint, and the story ends with the child in a bathtub covered with all different colors of paint.
Personal Rating and Reason for Rating: ****Great! This story is hilarious and the illustrations are filled with various colors. The rhyming pattern that this book has, along with the mischievous child, is sure to appeal to young readers. You can't help but love the cartoon-like faces that the child makes.
Reading Level: 2.5
Interest Level: K-2
Possible Uses of the Text in Integrated Units of Study (Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum): This book could be used for several different subjects. The rhyming style certainly offers extra practice with rhyming words. Body parts are also discussed in this book as the child paints on himself/herself. This could be integrated into a health or science unit including study of the body. Many different colors are also used in this book, which could be part of a math or art lesson. During writing, children could paint a picture of themselves and write a story about a time when they did something that they shouldn't have been doing.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: There are a few problems that I seen with this book. First, the word ain't is used throughout. Children would probably need to be told that this is not proper grammar. Second, the book offers rhyming words and allows the reader to guess the body part. There is one rhyme that says "But I'm such a nut, gonna paint my", then it says "WHAT?!". Although the book does not say what the children think it is going to say, it still implies a certain body part. Third, in a couple of the illustrations, the child takes their underwear off, and their body is completely painted, with the exception of their white bottom. In one of the illustrations, the character is actually pointing to their bare bottom. This could pose a problem, particularly with parental preferences. These are a few things that teachers would definitely want to be aware of.
Publishing Info.: Scholastic Inc., 32 pages
Awards or Honors Received: N/A
Summary: This is a hilarious book about a child (the story never reveals if the child is a boy or girl) who gets caught painting all over the walls, floor, and ceiling. The mama catches the child and hides the paint in the top of a closet. However, the child gets the paint again and paints all over his/her body. At the end of the book, the child uses all of the paint, and the story ends with the child in a bathtub covered with all different colors of paint.
Personal Rating and Reason for Rating: ****Great! This story is hilarious and the illustrations are filled with various colors. The rhyming pattern that this book has, along with the mischievous child, is sure to appeal to young readers. You can't help but love the cartoon-like faces that the child makes.
Reading Level: 2.5
Interest Level: K-2
Possible Uses of the Text in Integrated Units of Study (Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum): This book could be used for several different subjects. The rhyming style certainly offers extra practice with rhyming words. Body parts are also discussed in this book as the child paints on himself/herself. This could be integrated into a health or science unit including study of the body. Many different colors are also used in this book, which could be part of a math or art lesson. During writing, children could paint a picture of themselves and write a story about a time when they did something that they shouldn't have been doing.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: There are a few problems that I seen with this book. First, the word ain't is used throughout. Children would probably need to be told that this is not proper grammar. Second, the book offers rhyming words and allows the reader to guess the body part. There is one rhyme that says "But I'm such a nut, gonna paint my", then it says "WHAT?!". Although the book does not say what the children think it is going to say, it still implies a certain body part. Third, in a couple of the illustrations, the child takes their underwear off, and their body is completely painted, with the exception of their white bottom. In one of the illustrations, the character is actually pointing to their bare bottom. This could pose a problem, particularly with parental preferences. These are a few things that teachers would definitely want to be aware of.
Monkey Mo Goes to Sea by Diane Goode
Book Genre: General fiction
Publishing Information: The Blue Sky Press, 30 pages
Summary: Monkey Mo gets into a lot of trouble on a sea adventure. The monkey's owner a little boy Bertie gets a letter from his grandfather to come and join him for lunch on a cruise boat. In the letter grandfather reminds Mo that he needs to act like a gentlemen. There were a lot of gentlemen on the boat for Mo to act like, but he picked out a guy in a yellow scarf. Mo tried really hard to be a gentlemen, but it did not seem to work. He tried to help a lady in her chair but she fell on the floor instead. He tried to make conversation, but he swung from a chandelier instead. He tried to dance with two women at the same time, but all this just made everyone agry with Mo. Bertie's grandfather finally made him leave the party. When Mo went out on the deck he saw the man with the yellow scarf fall overboard. Mo jumped in and saved the man. Everyone was happy with Mo again and grandfather was proud.
Personal Rating: ***Good This book has a great message for younger children!
Reading Level: 2.4
Interest Level: K-2
Integration: In science this book could be used in a unit about transportation. The pictures are great to show what a cruise ship looks like. The teacher could read this book and have the children discuss the difference between small ships and big ships. The teacher could talk about the different uses of big ships and how this ship is used for cruises. They can also talk about all the different types of areas found on the big cruise ships. The teacher can also talk about safety, because the man with the yellow scarf walks on the rails and falls overboard in the book. This would not be appropriate behavior on a cruise ship.
In social studies the book could be used to talk about the history of ships and how things have changed over the years.
In writing students could write a story about being on a boat and what happens.
Potential Problems: The only problem that I see is that the man with the yellow scarf walks on the rails of the boat. This could teach children that it is ok to not follow rules.
Publishing Information: The Blue Sky Press, 30 pages
Summary: Monkey Mo gets into a lot of trouble on a sea adventure. The monkey's owner a little boy Bertie gets a letter from his grandfather to come and join him for lunch on a cruise boat. In the letter grandfather reminds Mo that he needs to act like a gentlemen. There were a lot of gentlemen on the boat for Mo to act like, but he picked out a guy in a yellow scarf. Mo tried really hard to be a gentlemen, but it did not seem to work. He tried to help a lady in her chair but she fell on the floor instead. He tried to make conversation, but he swung from a chandelier instead. He tried to dance with two women at the same time, but all this just made everyone agry with Mo. Bertie's grandfather finally made him leave the party. When Mo went out on the deck he saw the man with the yellow scarf fall overboard. Mo jumped in and saved the man. Everyone was happy with Mo again and grandfather was proud.
Personal Rating: ***Good This book has a great message for younger children!
Reading Level: 2.4
Interest Level: K-2
Integration: In science this book could be used in a unit about transportation. The pictures are great to show what a cruise ship looks like. The teacher could read this book and have the children discuss the difference between small ships and big ships. The teacher could talk about the different uses of big ships and how this ship is used for cruises. They can also talk about all the different types of areas found on the big cruise ships. The teacher can also talk about safety, because the man with the yellow scarf walks on the rails and falls overboard in the book. This would not be appropriate behavior on a cruise ship.
In social studies the book could be used to talk about the history of ships and how things have changed over the years.
In writing students could write a story about being on a boat and what happens.
Potential Problems: The only problem that I see is that the man with the yellow scarf walks on the rails of the boat. This could teach children that it is ok to not follow rules.
My First Book About Animals of the Polar Regions by Gareth Stevens Publishing
Book Genre: Nonfiction
Publishing Information: Gareth Stevens Publishing, 16 pages
Summary: This book is great for young readers wanting to learn more about animals in the polar regions. The pictures show penguins, beluga whales, and many other animals in their natural habitats. The text is easy and accurate for beginning readers. The text does not mention whether the animals live in the north or south pole, but it does have a glossary and index in the back.
Personal Rating: *** Good This book has realistic looking pictures that help young students learn about animals.
Reading Level: 1.8
Interest Level: K-1
Integration: This book fits in perfectly with science. This would be a great non-fiction book to use with guided reading centers when the teacher was doing a unit on polar animals. After reading this book aloud to the students the teacher could assign each child an animal from the book to research and do a project on. The project can be simple or more complicated for children on different grade levels.
This book could be used in social studies to discuss how humans are affecting these animals. One animal in particular is already extinct the mammoth and this book could begin a discussion about extinct animals. Some of the other animals are endangered and students could research that topic as well.
Potential Problems: I see no potential problems with this book the information appears to be correct and pictures are accurate.
Publishing Information: Gareth Stevens Publishing, 16 pages
Summary: This book is great for young readers wanting to learn more about animals in the polar regions. The pictures show penguins, beluga whales, and many other animals in their natural habitats. The text is easy and accurate for beginning readers. The text does not mention whether the animals live in the north or south pole, but it does have a glossary and index in the back.
Personal Rating: *** Good This book has realistic looking pictures that help young students learn about animals.
Reading Level: 1.8
Interest Level: K-1
Integration: This book fits in perfectly with science. This would be a great non-fiction book to use with guided reading centers when the teacher was doing a unit on polar animals. After reading this book aloud to the students the teacher could assign each child an animal from the book to research and do a project on. The project can be simple or more complicated for children on different grade levels.
This book could be used in social studies to discuss how humans are affecting these animals. One animal in particular is already extinct the mammoth and this book could begin a discussion about extinct animals. Some of the other animals are endangered and students could research that topic as well.
Potential Problems: I see no potential problems with this book the information appears to be correct and pictures are accurate.
The Wolf Who Cried Boy By Bob Hartman
Book Genre: Fable
Publishing Info: Scholastic, 27 pages
Awards or honors received: N/A
Summary: This story is a version of “The Little Boy Who Cried Wolf”. It is about a wolf family that ate the same things for dinner every night: sheep, deer, squirrel, and muskrat. Little Wolf constantly complained about what Mother Wolf made for dinner. So his parents told him that if he found a boy in the woods they would catch him and eat him for dinner. Little Wolf decided to play a trick on his parents. On his way home from school he cried “boy!”. His parents came running and looked everywhere but couldn’t find the boy. Mother’s dinner burned while they were gone and Little Wolf thought it was funny. The next day Little Wolf did it again. The same thing happened and dinner was ruined again. That night Father Wolf overheard Little Wolf telling a friend how he tricked his parents. After school the next day Little Wolf came across a troop of boy scouts. He shouted and shouted but no one came. He ran home to tell his parents, but they didn’t believe him. From that day forward Little Wolf never shouted boy again.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Very entertaining way to introduce Fables to your class.
Reading level: 3.1
Interest level: K-2
Possible uses of the text: This story would be used in a unit about Fables. Discuss the moral of the story. Use a graphic organizer to show the difference between this story and “The Little Boy Who Cried Wolf”. Then have students write their own Fable. Begin with a planning sheet: moral of the story, characters, setting, etc. Write a draft with a title, then edit and publish with illustrations.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: None
Publishing Info: Scholastic, 27 pages
Awards or honors received: N/A
Summary: This story is a version of “The Little Boy Who Cried Wolf”. It is about a wolf family that ate the same things for dinner every night: sheep, deer, squirrel, and muskrat. Little Wolf constantly complained about what Mother Wolf made for dinner. So his parents told him that if he found a boy in the woods they would catch him and eat him for dinner. Little Wolf decided to play a trick on his parents. On his way home from school he cried “boy!”. His parents came running and looked everywhere but couldn’t find the boy. Mother’s dinner burned while they were gone and Little Wolf thought it was funny. The next day Little Wolf did it again. The same thing happened and dinner was ruined again. That night Father Wolf overheard Little Wolf telling a friend how he tricked his parents. After school the next day Little Wolf came across a troop of boy scouts. He shouted and shouted but no one came. He ran home to tell his parents, but they didn’t believe him. From that day forward Little Wolf never shouted boy again.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Very entertaining way to introduce Fables to your class.
Reading level: 3.1
Interest level: K-2
Possible uses of the text: This story would be used in a unit about Fables. Discuss the moral of the story. Use a graphic organizer to show the difference between this story and “The Little Boy Who Cried Wolf”. Then have students write their own Fable. Begin with a planning sheet: moral of the story, characters, setting, etc. Write a draft with a title, then edit and publish with illustrations.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: None
Bug Dance by Stuart J. Murphy
Book Genre: Math Reader
Publishing Info: Harper Collins, 28 pages
Awards or honors received: N/A
Summary: This is a cute story that introduces children to directions such as left and right. Centipede loves gym class and loves to do everything except dance. But today they were dancing in gym class. Coach Caterpillar demonstrated the dance. All of the bugs were excited to try the dance except Centipede. He had too many feet! So the class danced and Centipede messed up over and over. All of the other bugs cheered on Centipede and finally he did it. This book actually includes the song with the music so you can teach it to your students.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Humor will make students laugh as they learn left and right.
Reading level: 1.9
Interest level: K-2
Possible uses of the text: P.E./ Music/Math are integrated - Have students get up and practice the dance. Repeat song until all students are moving left or right correctly. Sing the Hokey Pokey and have children move the left and right sides of the their bodies. Play Simon Says with direction words.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: None
Publishing Info: Harper Collins, 28 pages
Awards or honors received: N/A
Summary: This is a cute story that introduces children to directions such as left and right. Centipede loves gym class and loves to do everything except dance. But today they were dancing in gym class. Coach Caterpillar demonstrated the dance. All of the bugs were excited to try the dance except Centipede. He had too many feet! So the class danced and Centipede messed up over and over. All of the other bugs cheered on Centipede and finally he did it. This book actually includes the song with the music so you can teach it to your students.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Humor will make students laugh as they learn left and right.
Reading level: 1.9
Interest level: K-2
Possible uses of the text: P.E./ Music/Math are integrated - Have students get up and practice the dance. Repeat song until all students are moving left or right correctly. Sing the Hokey Pokey and have children move the left and right sides of the their bodies. Play Simon Says with direction words.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: None
Friday, May 29, 2009
Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
Book Genre: Realistic Fiction
Publisher Information: Puffin Books, 1976 ( 62 pages)
Awards: The Caldecott Medal
Summary: Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are looking for that special place to have and raise their baby ducks. They fly quite a distance before finally deciding on the Public Gardens in Boston. They don't find much to eat there until a giant swan with people on float by and they begin to throw peanuts at the ducks. They love the peanuts and follow the giant swan all around the park. But when they get out of the pond, they are almost run over by a boy on a bike. This will never do for Mrs. Mallard, she needs a safer place for her babies. They flew over Beacon Hill, Louisburg Square, all over Boston until they see the Charles River with an island just perfect for their family. Mrs. Mallard takes care of her eight eggs until they hatch and then decide the chicks are old enough to live in the Public Gardens. Together all eight babies follow their mother to the edge of the river and then march single file to the Public Gardens. Unfortunately the babies can't fly so they must cross a major highway on foot. The cars don't even slow down for the mother and their babies until Officer Michael goes into the street and stops the cars to let the family cross. They make their way to Mr. Mallard, already waiting for them and the whole family settles into their new home.
Personal Rating And Reason: (**** Great) This book is special to me because a cousin from Boston gave it to me and after seeing the procession of ducks make their way through Boston, it is quite an unusual sight. For those not fortunate enough to see the ducklings in action, it is still a good story. Even the smallest of animals deserve their rights in our public domain.
Reading Level: 4.1
Interest Level: Ages 4-8
Possible uses of text in integrated units of study:
Geography: Where is Boston? What is the climate there? Do you think the harbor would make a difference in the city's economy? Good discussion questions for the class. Also, pictures of the coast line would make an interesting study of topography.
History: There are so many historical events associated with Boston that small groups could pick a topic of interest, research it, and present it to the class. Also, there are numerous historical figures for biographies to be presented to the class.
Theatre: Students could write or read a reader's theatre play in costume while enacting historical events.
Science: Students could study ducks, their habitat, and what kinds of ducks are indigenous to our area. Baby ducks could be hatched as part of the unit. Also, migration, a mystery to the common man, offers so many possibilities as to, who is the leader of the group, how do they know when and where to migrate? Has global warning affected migrating patterns? These are good discussion and study questions for the students.
Math: If Mrs. Mallard had 12 eggs, if 2 were brown and 4 were speckled, how many were solid white. What percentage is each amount? Using the eggs could be a good percentage prop.
Reading: Book lists of The Boston Tea Party, Benjamin Franklin's Many Inventions, Paul Revere and the Minute Men, are but a few of the many books that could be read in relation to Boston's history.
Writing: Writing Prompt: The most interesting person or thing about Boston in the 1700's is...
Music: Use a DVD to play the Boston Pops for music appreciation and performance.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: None
Publisher Information: Puffin Books, 1976 ( 62 pages)
Awards: The Caldecott Medal
Summary: Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are looking for that special place to have and raise their baby ducks. They fly quite a distance before finally deciding on the Public Gardens in Boston. They don't find much to eat there until a giant swan with people on float by and they begin to throw peanuts at the ducks. They love the peanuts and follow the giant swan all around the park. But when they get out of the pond, they are almost run over by a boy on a bike. This will never do for Mrs. Mallard, she needs a safer place for her babies. They flew over Beacon Hill, Louisburg Square, all over Boston until they see the Charles River with an island just perfect for their family. Mrs. Mallard takes care of her eight eggs until they hatch and then decide the chicks are old enough to live in the Public Gardens. Together all eight babies follow their mother to the edge of the river and then march single file to the Public Gardens. Unfortunately the babies can't fly so they must cross a major highway on foot. The cars don't even slow down for the mother and their babies until Officer Michael goes into the street and stops the cars to let the family cross. They make their way to Mr. Mallard, already waiting for them and the whole family settles into their new home.
Personal Rating And Reason: (**** Great) This book is special to me because a cousin from Boston gave it to me and after seeing the procession of ducks make their way through Boston, it is quite an unusual sight. For those not fortunate enough to see the ducklings in action, it is still a good story. Even the smallest of animals deserve their rights in our public domain.
Reading Level: 4.1
Interest Level: Ages 4-8
Possible uses of text in integrated units of study:
Geography: Where is Boston? What is the climate there? Do you think the harbor would make a difference in the city's economy? Good discussion questions for the class. Also, pictures of the coast line would make an interesting study of topography.
History: There are so many historical events associated with Boston that small groups could pick a topic of interest, research it, and present it to the class. Also, there are numerous historical figures for biographies to be presented to the class.
Theatre: Students could write or read a reader's theatre play in costume while enacting historical events.
Science: Students could study ducks, their habitat, and what kinds of ducks are indigenous to our area. Baby ducks could be hatched as part of the unit. Also, migration, a mystery to the common man, offers so many possibilities as to, who is the leader of the group, how do they know when and where to migrate? Has global warning affected migrating patterns? These are good discussion and study questions for the students.
Math: If Mrs. Mallard had 12 eggs, if 2 were brown and 4 were speckled, how many were solid white. What percentage is each amount? Using the eggs could be a good percentage prop.
Reading: Book lists of The Boston Tea Party, Benjamin Franklin's Many Inventions, Paul Revere and the Minute Men, are but a few of the many books that could be read in relation to Boston's history.
Writing: Writing Prompt: The most interesting person or thing about Boston in the 1700's is...
Music: Use a DVD to play the Boston Pops for music appreciation and performance.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: None
T is for TarHeel: A North Carolina Alphabet by Carol Crane
Genre: Informational
Publisher Information: Sleeping Bear Press (34 pgs)
Summary: This is a book that takes the alphabet and using each letter comes up with a symbol that represents North Carolina that begins with that letter. They take a page to describe the symbol and give some history of it, along with GREAT illustrations to make the symbols come alive.
Reading Level: 5.6
Interest Level: 3-5
Personal Rating: **** This book is a great book to use in the classroom! The illustrations are awesome and the information is interesting.
Integrations:
Social Studies: This book is a great way to introduce a unit on the symbols of North Carolina. My class creates a symbol book, where they write something about each symbol and then color a picture of it. This book would be great to use at the beginning of that unit.
Writing: Have students create their own alphabet book about a topic that interests them.
Possible Problems: none
Publisher Information: Sleeping Bear Press (34 pgs)
Summary: This is a book that takes the alphabet and using each letter comes up with a symbol that represents North Carolina that begins with that letter. They take a page to describe the symbol and give some history of it, along with GREAT illustrations to make the symbols come alive.
Reading Level: 5.6
Interest Level: 3-5
Personal Rating: **** This book is a great book to use in the classroom! The illustrations are awesome and the information is interesting.
Integrations:
Social Studies: This book is a great way to introduce a unit on the symbols of North Carolina. My class creates a symbol book, where they write something about each symbol and then color a picture of it. This book would be great to use at the beginning of that unit.
Writing: Have students create their own alphabet book about a topic that interests them.
Possible Problems: none
A Long Way From Chicago
A Long Way From Chicago by Richard Peck
A novel in stories
Fiction, Puffin books 2000, 148 pgs.
Awards- A National Book Award Finalist, Newberry Honor Book
Summary-
This book is the prequel to Peck's novel A Year Down Yonder. It is a novel filled with stories about two children spending the summer with their grandma. This book keeps the audience engaged with humorous stories about all the interesting things Joey and Mary Alice encounter while staying with their grandma in Illinois during countless summers during their childhood. The children are not very excited about going to their "weird and different" grandma's house out in the middle of nowhere. They soon learn grandma is quite a character. She teaches her grandchildren many lessons during the summers, but not in very typical ways. Grandma comes across hard and difficult but really is nothing more than a sweet old grandma that loves her grandchildren. My favorite story in the book is the chapter titled A One-Woman Crime Wave. In this chapter Grandma is taking Joey and Mary Alice fishing. She wakes them up early one morning and tells them to get ready, except they didn't take any fishing rods only a bag of cheese. After walking for a ways, they reach a field with a fence that has a No Trespassing sign on it, Grandma takes the kids right on through the field, paying no attention to the sign. She then leads them to a boat, obviously not hers, but they all hop right in and head down the river. Joey ends up passing out as a big snake is hanging from a limb as they pass by and Mary Alice realizes they aren't really going fishing they are going to get fish from a trap that had been set. She soon realizes that is is illegal and grandma proceeds to tell them it's only illegal if you get caught. Grandma and the children end up running into a group of men on the river, one of which the boat belongs to, and after some fancy talking from grandma they all arrive back at grandma's house safely, with fish to cook for dinner. This was just another average day for grandma, as Joey and Mary Alice would soon learn.
Personal Rating- XXX GOOD
Reading Level- 5.0
Interest Level-4th-7th grade
Possible uses of integration- The novel could be read in a SS class as the setting is in the depression and there are many references to events happening during this time period. Also the student learns some interesting vocabulary words that would be considered slang during that time period. There are a lot of opportunities for writing experiences while reading this novel, such as having the students write a letter to their parents telling them about some of the things they are experiencing at their Grandma Dowdel's house.
Potential Problems- The students would have to be given the some vocabulary words before reading to ensure they would understand, since there are a lot of words used in the book that the students would be unfamiliar with due to the time period that it is set within.It would also be helpful to review what the Great Depression was and other information relating to that time period in history to give the students a better understanding of the setting.
A novel in stories
Fiction, Puffin books 2000, 148 pgs.
Awards- A National Book Award Finalist, Newberry Honor Book
Summary-
This book is the prequel to Peck's novel A Year Down Yonder. It is a novel filled with stories about two children spending the summer with their grandma. This book keeps the audience engaged with humorous stories about all the interesting things Joey and Mary Alice encounter while staying with their grandma in Illinois during countless summers during their childhood. The children are not very excited about going to their "weird and different" grandma's house out in the middle of nowhere. They soon learn grandma is quite a character. She teaches her grandchildren many lessons during the summers, but not in very typical ways. Grandma comes across hard and difficult but really is nothing more than a sweet old grandma that loves her grandchildren. My favorite story in the book is the chapter titled A One-Woman Crime Wave. In this chapter Grandma is taking Joey and Mary Alice fishing. She wakes them up early one morning and tells them to get ready, except they didn't take any fishing rods only a bag of cheese. After walking for a ways, they reach a field with a fence that has a No Trespassing sign on it, Grandma takes the kids right on through the field, paying no attention to the sign. She then leads them to a boat, obviously not hers, but they all hop right in and head down the river. Joey ends up passing out as a big snake is hanging from a limb as they pass by and Mary Alice realizes they aren't really going fishing they are going to get fish from a trap that had been set. She soon realizes that is is illegal and grandma proceeds to tell them it's only illegal if you get caught. Grandma and the children end up running into a group of men on the river, one of which the boat belongs to, and after some fancy talking from grandma they all arrive back at grandma's house safely, with fish to cook for dinner. This was just another average day for grandma, as Joey and Mary Alice would soon learn.
Personal Rating- XXX GOOD
Reading Level- 5.0
Interest Level-4th-7th grade
Possible uses of integration- The novel could be read in a SS class as the setting is in the depression and there are many references to events happening during this time period. Also the student learns some interesting vocabulary words that would be considered slang during that time period. There are a lot of opportunities for writing experiences while reading this novel, such as having the students write a letter to their parents telling them about some of the things they are experiencing at their Grandma Dowdel's house.
Potential Problems- The students would have to be given the some vocabulary words before reading to ensure they would understand, since there are a lot of words used in the book that the students would be unfamiliar with due to the time period that it is set within.It would also be helpful to review what the Great Depression was and other information relating to that time period in history to give the students a better understanding of the setting.
Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Publisher Information: Scholastic, Inc. (182 pgs)
Awards/Honors: Newberry Honor Book
Summary: This is a story about a little girl, named Opal, who lives with her daddy who is a preacher. They had just moved to Naomi, Florida and this little girl finds a dog in their local grocery store. The dog becomes the one stable thing in her life and helps her to become the strong-willed young lady that she needs to be.
Throughout the book, Opal befriends people from many different walks of life and therefore begins to learn a lot about herself and about life. At the beginning of the story she misses her mother very much, but as this story continues she learns to let go of her past and hold onto her future, all with the help of a dog!
Reading Level: 3.9
Interest Level: 3-5
Personal Rating: ****Great book!!! Really sweet plot!
Integration:
Writing: Create a newspaper article that covers the scene where Opal finds Winn-Dixie in the grocery store.
Write a letter to the preacher explaining why you wanted to work at Gertrude's Pets making sure that there are supportive reasons as to why you should work there and proof of your plan.
Math: You could create prices for the dog collar and leash that Opal wants to buy Winn-Dixie and help the owner of the pet shop come up with an installment plan so that Winn-Dixie can have a new collar and leash.
Culminating Activity: Dog Party-You could host a Dog Party that resembled the one that Opal had at the end of the story. This allows students to pay special attention to details.
Possible problems: None
Publisher Information: Scholastic, Inc. (182 pgs)
Awards/Honors: Newberry Honor Book
Summary: This is a story about a little girl, named Opal, who lives with her daddy who is a preacher. They had just moved to Naomi, Florida and this little girl finds a dog in their local grocery store. The dog becomes the one stable thing in her life and helps her to become the strong-willed young lady that she needs to be.
Throughout the book, Opal befriends people from many different walks of life and therefore begins to learn a lot about herself and about life. At the beginning of the story she misses her mother very much, but as this story continues she learns to let go of her past and hold onto her future, all with the help of a dog!
Reading Level: 3.9
Interest Level: 3-5
Personal Rating: ****Great book!!! Really sweet plot!
Integration:
Writing: Create a newspaper article that covers the scene where Opal finds Winn-Dixie in the grocery store.
Write a letter to the preacher explaining why you wanted to work at Gertrude's Pets making sure that there are supportive reasons as to why you should work there and proof of your plan.
Math: You could create prices for the dog collar and leash that Opal wants to buy Winn-Dixie and help the owner of the pet shop come up with an installment plan so that Winn-Dixie can have a new collar and leash.
Culminating Activity: Dog Party-You could host a Dog Party that resembled the one that Opal had at the end of the story. This allows students to pay special attention to details.
Possible problems: None
Stellaluna by Jannell Cannon
Book Genre: Fiction
Publisher Information: Harcourt Brace and Company, 1957 (44 pages)
Summary: Stellaluna is a baby bat that falls from her mother's breast during an attack from an owl. She lands in nest of baby birds and becomes the newest addition to the family. She did not like insects for dinner, or sleeping at night and being awake all day, and not sleeping upside down was especially hard for her. One day she even convinced her bird brothers and sisters to try sleeping upside down, to their mother's dismay. When it was time to learn how to fly to leave the nest, flying came very naturally for Stellaluna, but landing on a branch was another problem. She was embarrassed that she could not be just like the rest of her family, and flew far away. She rested in a tree, hanging by her fingers and fell asleep. Awakened by another bat, Stellaluna was quickly corrected that the reason she could not do things like a bird is because she is a bat! She was reunited with her mother, ate juicy mangoes insect of worms, could fly and see at night, and suddenly Stellaluna had found her place in the world.
Personal Rating: (**** Great) This is one of those books you will keep forever. The theme is universal in that we all try to fit in even when we aren't sure who we really are, but as we grow into ourselves, we discover that we are unique in many ways and that we have our own special place in this world. This is a good book for those children who feel insecure about themselves. The illustrations are so good in this book, you will find youseld actually liking bats. Also, it would be a great read aloud on a dark night!
Reading Level: 3.5
Interest Level: ages 4-10
Possible integration of text into units of study:
Science: There a notes about the 800 varieties of bats in the back of this book. Bats would be a great study subject during Halloween. They are usually hated by many and represent evil, but bats are crucial in the balance of our eco-system.
Reading: Students will find books related to bats for a reading list.
Field trip to the local Museum for an exhibit on bats near Halloween.
Writing: Writing prompt after bat study: Bats are important to us because they....
Art: Students will construct a bat using glue, black and brown tissue paper, hangers, plastic eyes and pipe cleaners. These will be tied with string and suspended from the ceiling during Halloween.
Possible problems or difficulties: None that I am able to forsee.
Publisher Information: Harcourt Brace and Company, 1957 (44 pages)
Summary: Stellaluna is a baby bat that falls from her mother's breast during an attack from an owl. She lands in nest of baby birds and becomes the newest addition to the family. She did not like insects for dinner, or sleeping at night and being awake all day, and not sleeping upside down was especially hard for her. One day she even convinced her bird brothers and sisters to try sleeping upside down, to their mother's dismay. When it was time to learn how to fly to leave the nest, flying came very naturally for Stellaluna, but landing on a branch was another problem. She was embarrassed that she could not be just like the rest of her family, and flew far away. She rested in a tree, hanging by her fingers and fell asleep. Awakened by another bat, Stellaluna was quickly corrected that the reason she could not do things like a bird is because she is a bat! She was reunited with her mother, ate juicy mangoes insect of worms, could fly and see at night, and suddenly Stellaluna had found her place in the world.
Personal Rating: (**** Great) This is one of those books you will keep forever. The theme is universal in that we all try to fit in even when we aren't sure who we really are, but as we grow into ourselves, we discover that we are unique in many ways and that we have our own special place in this world. This is a good book for those children who feel insecure about themselves. The illustrations are so good in this book, you will find youseld actually liking bats. Also, it would be a great read aloud on a dark night!
Reading Level: 3.5
Interest Level: ages 4-10
Possible integration of text into units of study:
Science: There a notes about the 800 varieties of bats in the back of this book. Bats would be a great study subject during Halloween. They are usually hated by many and represent evil, but bats are crucial in the balance of our eco-system.
Reading: Students will find books related to bats for a reading list.
Field trip to the local Museum for an exhibit on bats near Halloween.
Writing: Writing prompt after bat study: Bats are important to us because they....
Art: Students will construct a bat using glue, black and brown tissue paper, hangers, plastic eyes and pipe cleaners. These will be tied with string and suspended from the ceiling during Halloween.
Possible problems or difficulties: None that I am able to forsee.
Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery by Deorah and James Howe
Genre: Fiction/Mystery
Publisher: Avon Camelot Books (99)
Awards: None
Summary: This is a story about a family who has a very smart cat named Chester that ends up turning into a detectivve when the Monroe family brings home a rabbit that was found during a showing of the movie Dracula. Harold, the family's dog, is not very happy about the newcomer in the house, but Chester notices certain qualities about the rabbit that makes him very curious.
Chester tries to get Harold to understand that the family has adopted a vampire bunny and that the bunny needs to be gotten rid of as soon as possible. Chester does everything to show the Monroes that they have made a BIG mistake. Chester fails at convincing the family, so he takes the situation into his own hand. He scares Bunnicula so bad that he refuses to leave his cage.
Harold tries to save the bunny by getting Bunnicula something to eat from the Monroes dinner table. The Monroes finally pick up on what the Harold is trying to do and they load up all three pets to go to the vet. The vet gives Bunnicula a liquid diet, Harold a clean bill of health, and Chester, a diagnosis of sibling rivalry.
Personal Rating: *** Good-It was a little slow-moving for me...but it was a cute story!
Reading Level: 4.8
Interest Level: 4-6
Integration Ideas:
P.E.- The students can do the bunny hop!
Social Studies- There is a note on Bunnicula when he is found written in a strange language from the region of Transylvania. Students can research Transylvania to see if it is a real place and about it's location.
Reading- Compare/Contrast with other mysterys that have been read.
Potential Problems: This story revolves around the idea of vampires-could conflict some children's religous beliefs.
Publisher: Avon Camelot Books (99)
Awards: None
Summary: This is a story about a family who has a very smart cat named Chester that ends up turning into a detectivve when the Monroe family brings home a rabbit that was found during a showing of the movie Dracula. Harold, the family's dog, is not very happy about the newcomer in the house, but Chester notices certain qualities about the rabbit that makes him very curious.
Chester tries to get Harold to understand that the family has adopted a vampire bunny and that the bunny needs to be gotten rid of as soon as possible. Chester does everything to show the Monroes that they have made a BIG mistake. Chester fails at convincing the family, so he takes the situation into his own hand. He scares Bunnicula so bad that he refuses to leave his cage.
Harold tries to save the bunny by getting Bunnicula something to eat from the Monroes dinner table. The Monroes finally pick up on what the Harold is trying to do and they load up all three pets to go to the vet. The vet gives Bunnicula a liquid diet, Harold a clean bill of health, and Chester, a diagnosis of sibling rivalry.
Personal Rating: *** Good-It was a little slow-moving for me...but it was a cute story!
Reading Level: 4.8
Interest Level: 4-6
Integration Ideas:
P.E.- The students can do the bunny hop!
Social Studies- There is a note on Bunnicula when he is found written in a strange language from the region of Transylvania. Students can research Transylvania to see if it is a real place and about it's location.
Reading- Compare/Contrast with other mysterys that have been read.
Potential Problems: This story revolves around the idea of vampires-could conflict some children's religous beliefs.
Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Publisher Information: First Aladdin Paperbacks (138 pgs)
Awards/Honors: Newberry Medal, An American Library Association Notable Children's Book
Summary: This is a sweet story about a little boy, Mary Preston, who finds a beagle while playing in the woods behind his house. He falls in love with this puppy and calls him Shiloh. This dog comes with lots of trouble. This little puppy is owned by an alcoholic named Judd Travers who is very aggressive, abuses dogs, and owns a gun. Shiloh ends up running away to Marty, and Marty knows he just has to keep him hidden and protected from his mean, abusive, owner. This secret is too much for one little boy to handle and so he puts his whole family in the line of Judd's horrific anger. This story is about Marty's adventure to protect little Shiloh.
Personal Rating: **** This book is a great feel good book, but be careful while reading aloud and have some tissues!
Reading Level: 4.4
Interest Level: 3-5
Integration Ideas:
Reading: Have students do an animal rights research report. This can be a group effort or an individual project. Have them research the laws that protect animals and figure out who they would contact if they were in Marty's position (knowing someone is harming an animal on purpose).
Art: You can make a montage (a picture made up of many separate pictures) that tells the viewer about your family/community. Then have students share and compare their families to Marty's family.
Writing: Discuss dialect and Nonstandard English. You can choose some quotes from the story and have the students discuss in small groups what that sentence or quote means and how it fits appropriately in the story.
Possible problems: There are a few inappropriate words, so if conducting this as a read aloud just skip them...just remember this if the students are reading aloud with this story.
Publisher Information: First Aladdin Paperbacks (138 pgs)
Awards/Honors: Newberry Medal, An American Library Association Notable Children's Book
Summary: This is a sweet story about a little boy, Mary Preston, who finds a beagle while playing in the woods behind his house. He falls in love with this puppy and calls him Shiloh. This dog comes with lots of trouble. This little puppy is owned by an alcoholic named Judd Travers who is very aggressive, abuses dogs, and owns a gun. Shiloh ends up running away to Marty, and Marty knows he just has to keep him hidden and protected from his mean, abusive, owner. This secret is too much for one little boy to handle and so he puts his whole family in the line of Judd's horrific anger. This story is about Marty's adventure to protect little Shiloh.
Personal Rating: **** This book is a great feel good book, but be careful while reading aloud and have some tissues!
Reading Level: 4.4
Interest Level: 3-5
Integration Ideas:
Reading: Have students do an animal rights research report. This can be a group effort or an individual project. Have them research the laws that protect animals and figure out who they would contact if they were in Marty's position (knowing someone is harming an animal on purpose).
Art: You can make a montage (a picture made up of many separate pictures) that tells the viewer about your family/community. Then have students share and compare their families to Marty's family.
Writing: Discuss dialect and Nonstandard English. You can choose some quotes from the story and have the students discuss in small groups what that sentence or quote means and how it fits appropriately in the story.
Possible problems: There are a few inappropriate words, so if conducting this as a read aloud just skip them...just remember this if the students are reading aloud with this story.
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Pennn
Book Genre: Fiction
Publisher Information: Child & Family Press, 1993 (26 pages)
Award: E D Press Winner
Summary: Chester the Raccoon, does not want to go to his first night at school. He would prefer to stay home with his mother, read his books, play with his friends, play with his toys and swing on his swing. Really, Chester is afraid to leave his home and go to a strange and scary new place. Mrs. Raccoon, his mother tries to tell him, he will love school. He will make new friends, play with new toys, swing on new swings, and read new books. Best of all she has a secret to tell him that will help him get over his fear, the kissing hand. She proceeds to spread his palm open and place a soft kiss in it. Chester feels the warmth of her kiss spread all the way up to his furry mask. Now when he is afraid, he just puts his hand against his face and remembers that his mother loves him.
Book Level: 2.7
Interest Level: ages 4-8
Personal Rating: (**** Great) I love this book, not only because I used it with my child and it worked beautifully, but because it is the kind of book that parents will treasure and children will not only benefit from it but enjoy reading it. The illustrations are colorful, fun, and heart warming. This would be a great book to use as a read aloud for little ones going off to kindergarten, staying with a babysitter for the first time, or going to daycare. Any time there is separation anxiety, this book will definitely help. There are stickers with hearts on them for children to wear in the palm of their hands to help them remember their mother loves them and not to be afraid.
Possible uses of text in integrated units of study:
Science: There are illustrations full of nocturnal animals. The class will study the many kinds of nocturnal animals and their habitat. The students will also study the forest eco-system.
Language Arts: Spying and spelling all the animals in the illustrations would be a good way to have the students create sentences about their favorite animals.
Reading: This book would be a good motivator for a book list about different nocturnal animals. Also, this book would be much too hard to read for the littlest ones going off to school for the first time. This is one of those perfect read aloud books for at home, the library, or first day of kindergarten or school. The stickers are also a great visual for the children to keep.
Art: The children will trace their hands on paper and draw hearts on their palms. The children will pick one nocturnal animal, draw and color a picture of their animal, which will be placed in a book for the class to view. If small paper plates are used, they could make a mobile of the animals and hang it in their classroom.
Writing: Writing Prompt: When I get scared, I feel better when...
Math: Word problems: Mrs. Opossum has 10 babies on her back, if 4 fall off, how many are left. Drawing the babies and using Velcro to attach or remove them would be a good hands on math activity.
Possible problems or difficulties: Children who do not have or have lost a parent may have a hard time with the feelings that may result from using only a mother figure. It would be good to use Fathers, relatives, and caregivers in the discussion of this story, as well. I see no other problems with this book.
Publisher Information: Child & Family Press, 1993 (26 pages)
Award: E D Press Winner
Summary: Chester the Raccoon, does not want to go to his first night at school. He would prefer to stay home with his mother, read his books, play with his friends, play with his toys and swing on his swing. Really, Chester is afraid to leave his home and go to a strange and scary new place. Mrs. Raccoon, his mother tries to tell him, he will love school. He will make new friends, play with new toys, swing on new swings, and read new books. Best of all she has a secret to tell him that will help him get over his fear, the kissing hand. She proceeds to spread his palm open and place a soft kiss in it. Chester feels the warmth of her kiss spread all the way up to his furry mask. Now when he is afraid, he just puts his hand against his face and remembers that his mother loves him.
Book Level: 2.7
Interest Level: ages 4-8
Personal Rating: (**** Great) I love this book, not only because I used it with my child and it worked beautifully, but because it is the kind of book that parents will treasure and children will not only benefit from it but enjoy reading it. The illustrations are colorful, fun, and heart warming. This would be a great book to use as a read aloud for little ones going off to kindergarten, staying with a babysitter for the first time, or going to daycare. Any time there is separation anxiety, this book will definitely help. There are stickers with hearts on them for children to wear in the palm of their hands to help them remember their mother loves them and not to be afraid.
Possible uses of text in integrated units of study:
Science: There are illustrations full of nocturnal animals. The class will study the many kinds of nocturnal animals and their habitat. The students will also study the forest eco-system.
Language Arts: Spying and spelling all the animals in the illustrations would be a good way to have the students create sentences about their favorite animals.
Reading: This book would be a good motivator for a book list about different nocturnal animals. Also, this book would be much too hard to read for the littlest ones going off to school for the first time. This is one of those perfect read aloud books for at home, the library, or first day of kindergarten or school. The stickers are also a great visual for the children to keep.
Art: The children will trace their hands on paper and draw hearts on their palms. The children will pick one nocturnal animal, draw and color a picture of their animal, which will be placed in a book for the class to view. If small paper plates are used, they could make a mobile of the animals and hang it in their classroom.
Writing: Writing Prompt: When I get scared, I feel better when...
Math: Word problems: Mrs. Opossum has 10 babies on her back, if 4 fall off, how many are left. Drawing the babies and using Velcro to attach or remove them would be a good hands on math activity.
Possible problems or difficulties: Children who do not have or have lost a parent may have a hard time with the feelings that may result from using only a mother figure. It would be good to use Fathers, relatives, and caregivers in the discussion of this story, as well. I see no other problems with this book.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
I Want To Be A Jedi by Simon Beecroft
Book Genre: Science Fiction
Publishing Information: Dorley Kindersley Publishing, 2007 (48 pages)
Summary: For all those Star Wars kids out there and probably a few adults, here is the handbook that will explain exactly what you need to know to become a Jedi. First, to become a Jedi you must train with the mindset that you are a peacemaker. You do have a force with you if needed. Yoda, Obi Wan Kenobi and Mace Windu are all Jedis that travel throughout the galaxy as peacemakers. Jedi's do not start out as a Jedi, though, first, you are a youngling and then become a Padawan Learner. After passing numerous tests, you will be assigned a Jedi Master to travel with you on spaceships as you patrol the galaxy. Eventually you will be a Jedi.
A youngling is born with special powers that tell him or her they are special. These powers may consist of moving objects with your mind or being able to move very fast. Anakin Skywalker was a podracer who dicovered he had magical powers to race very fast, Obi Wan Kenobi became his master, but Anakin was a rebellious youngling and continued to be so into adult years when he married. Marriage is strictly forbidden for Jedis. Unfortunately, Anakin turns away from his goodness and begins to fight for the dark side. Anakin and his wife Padme had two children, Luke and Leia.
The Jedi Council is the highest form of government within the Jedis. They possess great abilities with lightsabers, a blade made of glowing energy, which is never to be used to attack others. Mind tricks are another gift Jedi's have and with the wave of a hand, a Jedi can control others. A utility belt is used to carry other tools such as comlinks, for communication and holoprojectors, for recording and displaying images. These items are useful in battles such as Sith battles. These are dark forces that must not be allowed to prevail. Unfortunately, the Sith Lords wanted to destroy the Jedis and began a terrible battle that destroyed many planets. Annakin became the Emperor of the Evil Sith's and became known as Darth Vader. Therefore, the Jedi's had to resort to battle by space and by land to save each other. Anakin's children became the leaders of the Jedi's that eventually killed the Siths and their own father.
Reading Level: 5.1
Interest Level: 5 - unknown
Personal Rating: (*** Good) I am not a fan of Star Wars but many children are, so I wanted to give this book a chance. It was informative, had a deeper meaning to the story than I first thought, and pictures to illustrate concepts that may be hard to grasp. I think a child or adult fan of Star Wars would enjoy this Star Wars guide.
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
History: Many of our wars have resulted from greed for power and hatred for another culture. An interesting unit would be to discuss the similarities of World War II and the Sith Wars and the Jedis. An interesting perspective would be to observe our nation as Jedis but do other countries see us as the Siths and why.
Social Studies: How does our government compare to the Jedi Council? A great segue for studying Congress, the Senate, the Legislative and Judical System, how bills are passed, how Presidents and other politicians are nominated and elected. The League of Nations and how it began would be interesting, too. Bringing in the Star Wars perspective could be a great learning device for the apathetic student.
Writing: Writing prompt: If I were a Jedi today, my first mission for world peace would be...
Language Arts: Sounding out the names of Star Wars characters and other terms would be great practice for phonemic awareness.
Art: The students would draw a picture of how they think Charlotte could look in the future.
Reading: Books about planets, the Solar System, galaxies, new technologies, newspaper headlines and columns and reading about our own war would be related materials.
Potential problems or difficulties: This book may not appeal to all students but I do believe the theme could be collectively considered. Also, some students may get so involved with the Star Wars theme that discipline problems may result. Some parents may not want their children reading about fighting and science fiction, but many of our classics like Lord of the Flies are about a form of government, fighting, and human nature even in a fictional setting. I think it would be a great way to think out side of the box, not how we see ourselves as a nation, but how other nations see us.
Publishing Information: Dorley Kindersley Publishing, 2007 (48 pages)
Summary: For all those Star Wars kids out there and probably a few adults, here is the handbook that will explain exactly what you need to know to become a Jedi. First, to become a Jedi you must train with the mindset that you are a peacemaker. You do have a force with you if needed. Yoda, Obi Wan Kenobi and Mace Windu are all Jedis that travel throughout the galaxy as peacemakers. Jedi's do not start out as a Jedi, though, first, you are a youngling and then become a Padawan Learner. After passing numerous tests, you will be assigned a Jedi Master to travel with you on spaceships as you patrol the galaxy. Eventually you will be a Jedi.
A youngling is born with special powers that tell him or her they are special. These powers may consist of moving objects with your mind or being able to move very fast. Anakin Skywalker was a podracer who dicovered he had magical powers to race very fast, Obi Wan Kenobi became his master, but Anakin was a rebellious youngling and continued to be so into adult years when he married. Marriage is strictly forbidden for Jedis. Unfortunately, Anakin turns away from his goodness and begins to fight for the dark side. Anakin and his wife Padme had two children, Luke and Leia.
The Jedi Council is the highest form of government within the Jedis. They possess great abilities with lightsabers, a blade made of glowing energy, which is never to be used to attack others. Mind tricks are another gift Jedi's have and with the wave of a hand, a Jedi can control others. A utility belt is used to carry other tools such as comlinks, for communication and holoprojectors, for recording and displaying images. These items are useful in battles such as Sith battles. These are dark forces that must not be allowed to prevail. Unfortunately, the Sith Lords wanted to destroy the Jedis and began a terrible battle that destroyed many planets. Annakin became the Emperor of the Evil Sith's and became known as Darth Vader. Therefore, the Jedi's had to resort to battle by space and by land to save each other. Anakin's children became the leaders of the Jedi's that eventually killed the Siths and their own father.
Reading Level: 5.1
Interest Level: 5 - unknown
Personal Rating: (*** Good) I am not a fan of Star Wars but many children are, so I wanted to give this book a chance. It was informative, had a deeper meaning to the story than I first thought, and pictures to illustrate concepts that may be hard to grasp. I think a child or adult fan of Star Wars would enjoy this Star Wars guide.
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
History: Many of our wars have resulted from greed for power and hatred for another culture. An interesting unit would be to discuss the similarities of World War II and the Sith Wars and the Jedis. An interesting perspective would be to observe our nation as Jedis but do other countries see us as the Siths and why.
Social Studies: How does our government compare to the Jedi Council? A great segue for studying Congress, the Senate, the Legislative and Judical System, how bills are passed, how Presidents and other politicians are nominated and elected. The League of Nations and how it began would be interesting, too. Bringing in the Star Wars perspective could be a great learning device for the apathetic student.
Writing: Writing prompt: If I were a Jedi today, my first mission for world peace would be...
Language Arts: Sounding out the names of Star Wars characters and other terms would be great practice for phonemic awareness.
Art: The students would draw a picture of how they think Charlotte could look in the future.
Reading: Books about planets, the Solar System, galaxies, new technologies, newspaper headlines and columns and reading about our own war would be related materials.
Potential problems or difficulties: This book may not appeal to all students but I do believe the theme could be collectively considered. Also, some students may get so involved with the Star Wars theme that discipline problems may result. Some parents may not want their children reading about fighting and science fiction, but many of our classics like Lord of the Flies are about a form of government, fighting, and human nature even in a fictional setting. I think it would be a great way to think out side of the box, not how we see ourselves as a nation, but how other nations see us.
When Pigs Fly By Lisa Wheeler
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Information: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, 2003, (48 pages)
Summary: Chip, a pig is dressed up like his favorite hero, Hyper Hog, the hog who saves others on a T.V. show. He goes over to pick up his favorite friend, Fitch, who is dressed up like Timberwolf, a hero who tries to save the redwoods and protect the environment. When they get to school for hero day, every one is dressed up like Hyper Hog and no one is dressed up like Timberwolf. Timberwolf feels very out of place. Hyper Hog, being the good friend that he is takes off his cape and Timberwolf draws a tree like his on Chip's T Shirt. While they are on the playground, a small Hyper Hog runs by, trips and falls into the bushes. Chip picks up the little girl Hyper Hog and helps her. She calls the pig a real hero.
Personal Rating: (**OK) I loved the illustration on the book jacket and thought it looked like an interesting book with a lot of potential. Actually, it made very little sense and the story line was booooring. It was a big disappointment.
Reading Level: 2.5
Interest Level: 6-8 years
Possible use of text in integrated units of study:
Reading: Compile a word list that describes the students' favorite heroes.
Writing: Use the word list to write a story about the students' favorite super hero and why they like them.
Science: Why was Timberwolf a real hero? How can we be super heroes like Timberwolf and save our planet from bad things? Discussion on caring for our planet with the class.
Social Studies: Do you think Chip the Hyper Hog was the real hero? How would our world be better if we all helped each other? Class discussion.
Art: Have the students bring in a white T Shirt, and have them decorate the shirt like their favorite super hero. Ask them to create new heroes in relation to what is important to them. Ask them to wear their shirts on Hero Shirt Day.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: Getting the students to create new and relevant super heroes maybe a challenge if they are stuck on Spider man or Batman. No problem with the book, just uninteresting.
Publishing Information: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, 2003, (48 pages)
Summary: Chip, a pig is dressed up like his favorite hero, Hyper Hog, the hog who saves others on a T.V. show. He goes over to pick up his favorite friend, Fitch, who is dressed up like Timberwolf, a hero who tries to save the redwoods and protect the environment. When they get to school for hero day, every one is dressed up like Hyper Hog and no one is dressed up like Timberwolf. Timberwolf feels very out of place. Hyper Hog, being the good friend that he is takes off his cape and Timberwolf draws a tree like his on Chip's T Shirt. While they are on the playground, a small Hyper Hog runs by, trips and falls into the bushes. Chip picks up the little girl Hyper Hog and helps her. She calls the pig a real hero.
Personal Rating: (**OK) I loved the illustration on the book jacket and thought it looked like an interesting book with a lot of potential. Actually, it made very little sense and the story line was booooring. It was a big disappointment.
Reading Level: 2.5
Interest Level: 6-8 years
Possible use of text in integrated units of study:
Reading: Compile a word list that describes the students' favorite heroes.
Writing: Use the word list to write a story about the students' favorite super hero and why they like them.
Science: Why was Timberwolf a real hero? How can we be super heroes like Timberwolf and save our planet from bad things? Discussion on caring for our planet with the class.
Social Studies: Do you think Chip the Hyper Hog was the real hero? How would our world be better if we all helped each other? Class discussion.
Art: Have the students bring in a white T Shirt, and have them decorate the shirt like their favorite super hero. Ask them to create new heroes in relation to what is important to them. Ask them to wear their shirts on Hero Shirt Day.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: Getting the students to create new and relevant super heroes maybe a challenge if they are stuck on Spider man or Batman. No problem with the book, just uninteresting.
The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling
Title: The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling
Genre: fantasy
Publisher: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for young readers a division of Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Croup, Inc.
Pages: 87
Awards: NA
Summary: John Midas loved chocolate more than anything. His parents are very worried about him because he spends all his money on chocolate and that seems to be all he thinks about. One day as John is going down the street, he finds a shiny coin that just happens to have his intials J.M. on it. John sees a new candy store and goes inside. When the store owner offers John chocoate for his special coin he accepts it.
When John eats the piece of chocolate from the box he discovers later that everything he touches becomes chocolate. At first John is thrilled at his new gift, but it isn't long before he realizes that this new gift isn't as great as he thought. When his mom turns into chocolate that John rushes back to the store for help. The store owner helps John to realize that his greed with chocolate is what is causing everything to turn to chocolate.
Personal Rating: *****Great! Very funny and entertaining!
Reading level: 3.o
Interest level: ages 9 - 12
Reading/writing ideas: I started the lesson with a predicting activity. The student predicted the genre, narrative story elements, etc. After completing the lesson we reviewed our predictions and made changes if necessary. I used a vocabular activity and quiz for every two chapters. This allowed me to measure comprehension as we read the story. The student completed various other activities as we explored the book.
Science: We learned about the history of chocolate. I used this website as part of this unit. http://www.mce.k12tn.net/chocolate/history/name.htm
this website has various activites concerning chocolate that will allow you to incorporate math(graphing your favorite choclate bar), making a choclate dessert, compare similar books, mini lesson on describing a Hershey Kiss, etc.
Problem/Difficulities: The book is a little difficult to comprehend for lower level readers
Genre: fantasy
Publisher: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for young readers a division of Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Croup, Inc.
Pages: 87
Awards: NA
Summary: John Midas loved chocolate more than anything. His parents are very worried about him because he spends all his money on chocolate and that seems to be all he thinks about. One day as John is going down the street, he finds a shiny coin that just happens to have his intials J.M. on it. John sees a new candy store and goes inside. When the store owner offers John chocoate for his special coin he accepts it.
When John eats the piece of chocolate from the box he discovers later that everything he touches becomes chocolate. At first John is thrilled at his new gift, but it isn't long before he realizes that this new gift isn't as great as he thought. When his mom turns into chocolate that John rushes back to the store for help. The store owner helps John to realize that his greed with chocolate is what is causing everything to turn to chocolate.
Personal Rating: *****Great! Very funny and entertaining!
Reading level: 3.o
Interest level: ages 9 - 12
Reading/writing ideas: I started the lesson with a predicting activity. The student predicted the genre, narrative story elements, etc. After completing the lesson we reviewed our predictions and made changes if necessary. I used a vocabular activity and quiz for every two chapters. This allowed me to measure comprehension as we read the story. The student completed various other activities as we explored the book.
Science: We learned about the history of chocolate. I used this website as part of this unit. http://www.mce.k12tn.net/chocolate/history/name.htm
this website has various activites concerning chocolate that will allow you to incorporate math(graphing your favorite choclate bar), making a choclate dessert, compare similar books, mini lesson on describing a Hershey Kiss, etc.
Problem/Difficulities: The book is a little difficult to comprehend for lower level readers
How to eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell
Genre: fiction
Publisher: Yearling, an imprint of Random House Children's Books a division of Random House
Pages: 116
Awards/Honors: NA
Summary: Billy makes a bet with his friends that he can eat 15 worms (one a day for 15 days). If he wins the bet, Billy, will get $50 which he needs to buy a minibike. Billy and Tom, Billy's supporter, are creating clever ways in which Billy can eat the 15 worms. Alan, who has the pay the $50 if Billy eats all 15 worms is coming up with schemes to keep Billy from winning the bet. Will Billy win the bet or will he "worm" out of it?
Personal Rating ****Great! The book was fun to read and the students were very entertained by it.
Reading Level: 3.7
Interest Level: 9-12 year old
Curriculum:Pre-reading: predict what the story might be about using the title and then the picture on cover. Discuss other books by author the students may know.Brainstorming many, various, and unusual things you may have eaten.
During reading: check for understanding by questioning, complete quizzes after every few chapters
Post: comprehension quiz, Make and eat "chocolate covered worms", make mud for chocolate covered worms then eat, complete a book report on story. Examples of book report ideas: diorama of scene from book, interview one of the characters, create an ad to sell book, dress up as a character from story, small group dramatization, etc.
Writing activities: Keep a daily journal using topics such as: Write a recipe for "How to....", a bet you may have made with a friend, five ways you would eat fried worms, how would you motivate a friend to eat fried worms, etc.
Problems/Difficulties: The book was difficult to read in some chapters. The slang words and pronunciation was difficult for some. At times it was difficult to follow and you had to pay attention to what was happening in each chapter.
Publisher: Yearling, an imprint of Random House Children's Books a division of Random House
Pages: 116
Awards/Honors: NA
Summary: Billy makes a bet with his friends that he can eat 15 worms (one a day for 15 days). If he wins the bet, Billy, will get $50 which he needs to buy a minibike. Billy and Tom, Billy's supporter, are creating clever ways in which Billy can eat the 15 worms. Alan, who has the pay the $50 if Billy eats all 15 worms is coming up with schemes to keep Billy from winning the bet. Will Billy win the bet or will he "worm" out of it?
Personal Rating ****Great! The book was fun to read and the students were very entertained by it.
Reading Level: 3.7
Interest Level: 9-12 year old
Curriculum:Pre-reading: predict what the story might be about using the title and then the picture on cover. Discuss other books by author the students may know.Brainstorming many, various, and unusual things you may have eaten.
During reading: check for understanding by questioning, complete quizzes after every few chapters
Post: comprehension quiz, Make and eat "chocolate covered worms", make mud for chocolate covered worms then eat, complete a book report on story. Examples of book report ideas: diorama of scene from book, interview one of the characters, create an ad to sell book, dress up as a character from story, small group dramatization, etc.
Writing activities: Keep a daily journal using topics such as: Write a recipe for "How to....", a bet you may have made with a friend, five ways you would eat fried worms, how would you motivate a friend to eat fried worms, etc.
Problems/Difficulties: The book was difficult to read in some chapters. The slang words and pronunciation was difficult for some. At times it was difficult to follow and you had to pay attention to what was happening in each chapter.
Centerfield Ballhawk by Matt Christopher
Title: Centerfield Ballhawk by Matt Christopher
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Awards/Honors: na
Summary: This story is about a young boy who discovers that his dad is very proud of reguardless of his ability to be a great hitter like his father. jose Mendez is struggling with being great at hitting homeruns like his dad. Through the story Jose learns that it his character andd his ability to catch baseballs in the outfield that makes him special.
Jose realizes when his father comes to one of his baseball games that his father is proud of his accomphlisments.
Personal Rating: *** Good.
Reading Level: 3.4
Interest Level: 2nd- 5th
Reading: The students will access prior knowledge about baseball and ways we try to please our parents. This allows the students to make connections to real life.
The students talk about ways we can be teammates and offer examples ways we have been a teammate. Using the following website students decide how to be a good teammate or what makes a bad teammate. http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/book_buddy/centerfield/building.html
Writing: Students complete a writing/sequencing activity on this website.
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/trophies/rsr/new_news3_a.html
Students complete a daily writing journal on teamwork. The students write an imaginative story "You hit a homerun inn a baseball game and the ball suddenly starts to grow bigger. Write a story about what happens. Be sure to a beginning, middle, and an end.
Students use the computers to research youth baseball.
Social Studies: Students will compare and contrast their role in their family and their community. Students will identify characteristics of what makes a good citizen and think of ways they can impact their community.
Problem/Difficulities: N/A
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Awards/Honors: na
Summary: This story is about a young boy who discovers that his dad is very proud of reguardless of his ability to be a great hitter like his father. jose Mendez is struggling with being great at hitting homeruns like his dad. Through the story Jose learns that it his character andd his ability to catch baseballs in the outfield that makes him special.
Jose realizes when his father comes to one of his baseball games that his father is proud of his accomphlisments.
Personal Rating: *** Good.
Reading Level: 3.4
Interest Level: 2nd- 5th
Reading: The students will access prior knowledge about baseball and ways we try to please our parents. This allows the students to make connections to real life.
The students talk about ways we can be teammates and offer examples ways we have been a teammate. Using the following website students decide how to be a good teammate or what makes a bad teammate. http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/book_buddy/centerfield/building.html
Writing: Students complete a writing/sequencing activity on this website.
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/trophies/rsr/new_news3_a.html
Students complete a daily writing journal on teamwork. The students write an imaginative story "You hit a homerun inn a baseball game and the ball suddenly starts to grow bigger. Write a story about what happens. Be sure to a beginning, middle, and an end.
Students use the computers to research youth baseball.
Social Studies: Students will compare and contrast their role in their family and their community. Students will identify characteristics of what makes a good citizen and think of ways they can impact their community.
Problem/Difficulities: N/A
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
If You Were a Verb by Michael Dahl
Book Genre: Fiction and Informational Book
Publisher: Picture Window Books - 2006
Awards/Honor: None
Reading Level: 2th - 4th (I am using this for 4th grade)
Interest Level: 2th - 4th
Publisher: Picture Window Books - 2006
Awards/Honor: None
Reading Level: 2th - 4th (I am using this for 4th grade)
Interest Level: 2th - 4th
Summary:
This is an excellent book to use to introduce or talk about verbs. This book share the different kinds and forms of verbs. I talk about helping verbs, linking verb, and verb tense. Not only does this book present different types and forms verbs, but it also give example through the colorful illustrations. Plus, in the book the verbs are presented in big, bold print.
Rating: Great!
I read this book with my son who is in the second grade and we enjoy every part of the book. As a teacher, I really like the visual that is goes along with the print.
Integrated unit of study:(this Idea is from the book) Language Arts/ P.E.
Directions: Think of an action verb, such as swimming, walking, etc and let one student act it out. Have the rest of the students write down what they believe the verb is and share. After doing this for awhile, have the students go to their desk and write about which one of the role play they enjoyed in great detail and/or write a story with a lot of action in it.
Potential Problems or Difficulties:
One difficult might be the children trying to do some of the movement seen in the book and hurt themselves.
Rubrics
-scoring guide
-assess student writing-can be used for other subjects as well
- 4 to 6 levels rating studend (high to low)
-same concepts are given at each level with varying degrees of achievement
-students are given rubric at beginning of assignment to know what is expected of them
-teachers score students' work while they're reading it or just after reading it
-the more levels available on the rubric, the more chances to see student growth
-helps students become better writers because there are clear expectations for them to work toward
-students can use rubrics to examine their rough drafts and make improvements for their final drafts
-makes grading easier for the teacher
-lots of ready made rubrics available, but make sure they are appropriate for your students
Steps for using rubrics:
1. pick rubric
2. explain rubric to students
3. kids use them on their own writing
4. teacher uses to assess writing
5. conference and set goals
-assess student writing-can be used for other subjects as well
- 4 to 6 levels rating studend (high to low)
-same concepts are given at each level with varying degrees of achievement
-students are given rubric at beginning of assignment to know what is expected of them
-teachers score students' work while they're reading it or just after reading it
-the more levels available on the rubric, the more chances to see student growth
-helps students become better writers because there are clear expectations for them to work toward
-students can use rubrics to examine their rough drafts and make improvements for their final drafts
-makes grading easier for the teacher
-lots of ready made rubrics available, but make sure they are appropriate for your students
Steps for using rubrics:
1. pick rubric
2. explain rubric to students
3. kids use them on their own writing
4. teacher uses to assess writing
5. conference and set goals
Grand Conversation
Grand conversatons are students centered discussions as compared to teacher led conversations. The students are able to support their views with examples from the stories, make connections, question ideas, reflecting on their feelings in the connection with the story. They make connections; self to text, text to other texts, and text to world.
Students do not raise their hands, they take turns speaking, and they encourage their classmates to participate.
This is a two part process. Student centered and teacher , responding to the students , asking questions and providing information. Part two, the teacher focuses the student's attention on one or two topics thath they did not cover during the first discussion
Students do not raise their hands, they take turns speaking, and they encourage their classmates to participate.
This is a two part process. Student centered and teacher , responding to the students , asking questions and providing information. Part two, the teacher focuses the student's attention on one or two topics thath they did not cover during the first discussion
Open-mind portrait
Device for character analysis:
To create:
"1) Make a portrait of the character.
2) Cut out the "portrait" and "thinking" pages.
3) Design the "thinking" pages.
4) Share the completed open-mind portraits" (Text page 449)
Cover page is a drawn picture of face of the character. Subsequent thinking pages are used to show character's thinking during events of the story. All pages are cut to be the shape of the characters head.
To create:
"1) Make a portrait of the character.
2) Cut out the "portrait" and "thinking" pages.
3) Design the "thinking" pages.
4) Share the completed open-mind portraits" (Text page 449)
Cover page is a drawn picture of face of the character. Subsequent thinking pages are used to show character's thinking during events of the story. All pages are cut to be the shape of the characters head.
Readers Theatre
Summary- Readers theatre provides the students the opportunity to become the characters presented in the story. Students must interpret the characters emotions and feelings and be able to make connections to the character in the story that they are portraying. The students must present the content through their voice and vocal and facial expressions. The students are exposed to a variety of literature that allows them to interpret the text and have a better understanding of the text. It is a valuable resource for english language learners because it allows them to read the text in small chunks and gain more experience reading the text aloud. This will help increase their reading fluency. Students take an active role in choosing their parts, therefore increasing their motivation in the learning process.
Steps
1. Select a script
2. Rehearse the reading
3. Stage the reading
Steps
1. Select a script
2. Rehearse the reading
3. Stage the reading
Story Boards
- Easy to make
- Cut apart pictures and text from books
- Glue pages on tag board
- Laminate for student use
- Use to sequence events
- Helps students visualize
- Good way for EL students to retell story
- Helps to review beginning, middle, and end
- Story structure
- Word wall word activities
- Helps them study the illustrations better
- Partners can work together on a detailed poster of the events of a chapter
Learning Logs
- Small content journals
- Student created, with notebook paper stapled between tag board (or laminated construction paper?!)
- Use one small journal for each unit
- Students can use journals to include notes on topic, drawings, vocabulary words, free writes, quickwrites and summaries.
- Teachers can read and reply in the journal
- End of unit, students can reflect on own learning.
Interactive Writing
Interactive Writing: Definition
- students work with teacher to write text on chart paper
- teacher guides writing word by word
- students take turns writing familiar words, adding punctuation, and spacing
- students reinforce writing by copying on individual boards or paper
- students read and re-read with classmates or on their own
- teacher corrects student mistakes (misspelled words, grammar, punctuation)
Interactive Writing: Application
- classroom news
- pre-reading predictions
- retelling stories
- thank you letters
- reports
- math story problems
- group writing
Interactive Writing: Differentiation Examples
- K - practice writing letters/whole words
- 1st - practice writing entire words
- 2nd - whole group stories
Interactive Writing: Objective
- concepts about print
- letter-sound relationships
- spelling patterns
- handwriting concepts
- punctuation skills
- conventions (spelling, grammar, etc.)
- organization
- writing fluency
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.
Writing Groups
Writing groups are used during the revising stage of the writing process to help with CONTENT only! This activity is not used for mechanical errors. The process is a read aloud process so that the students do not get bogged down with the mechanical errors present in the writings. This process MUST BE MODELED in order for it to be successful. The writing groups form after 2 or more students have completed their rough drafts. During the group time students will complete the following steps with EVERY member of the group.
1.Read drafts: only the reader looks at the paper (does not focus on mechanics!)
2. Make Compliments: The listeners offer the reader compliments on the content of his or her story.
3. Ask Clarifying Questions: The writers ask the listeners if there are any spots that they should redo. This might be a time for the writer to ask for help on predetermined areas (writers block).
4. Others offer Suggestions: The listeners provide the reader with helpful tips to improve their writing. (It is helpful to create charts of examples of good ways to offer suggestions).
5. Repeat the process: Steps 1-4 will be repeated with all group members.
6. Make plans for revising!
Anticipation Guides
Anticipation Guides are pre-reading activities designed to activate students' prior knowledge about a book's topic. It can be used for either naraitive or expository text. The idea is to prepare statements concerning the topic. A few statements need to be true and a few false. Before reading, students choose which statements are true and which ones are false. After reading, students decide whether they were correct in there thoughts or not.
Procedures:
1 Identify several major concepts related to the reading assignment.
2 Develop a list of 4 to 6 statements.
3 Discuss the anticipation guide.
4 Read the text.
5 Discuss each statement again.
Procedures:
1 Identify several major concepts related to the reading assignment.
2 Develop a list of 4 to 6 statements.
3 Discuss the anticipation guide.
4 Read the text.
5 Discuss each statement again.
Alejandro"s Gift by Richard E. Albert
Title: Alejandro"s Gift by Richard E. Albert
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Publisher: Chronicle Books LLC
Pages: 40
Awards/Honors: NA
Summary: Alejandro lives in the desert and often gets very lonely. One day he decides to plant a garden and dig a watering hole. Alejandro soon discovers the animals have found the water but are scared to approach because it is too close to his home. Alejandro builds another watering hole for the animals. He realizes that his gift to the animals has also given him a precious...friends. Alejandro is no longer lonely.
Personal Rating: ***Good! I enjoyed the book. Great lesson on doing for others.
Reading level: 3.0
Interest level: ages 4 to 9
Reading: This book provides the opportunity to focus on cause and effect. I use a power point presentation that incorporates cause and effect, graphic organizers, and think and respond questions. I also use a vocabulary PowerPoint for this story.
Science: The students research windmills and their uses! The students draw a picture of a windmill and label its parts: wind, arms, horizontal bar, vertical shaft, water pump. The students compare uses of a windmill today compare to many years ago.
Social Studies: The students research a variety of plants and animals that can be found in the desert. We find various deserts across the world and discuss similarities and differences of each.
Writing: Students pretend to be Alejandro and keep a dairy of each days events.
Problem?Difficulties: None noted
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Publisher: Chronicle Books LLC
Pages: 40
Awards/Honors: NA
Summary: Alejandro lives in the desert and often gets very lonely. One day he decides to plant a garden and dig a watering hole. Alejandro soon discovers the animals have found the water but are scared to approach because it is too close to his home. Alejandro builds another watering hole for the animals. He realizes that his gift to the animals has also given him a precious...friends. Alejandro is no longer lonely.
Personal Rating: ***Good! I enjoyed the book. Great lesson on doing for others.
Reading level: 3.0
Interest level: ages 4 to 9
Reading: This book provides the opportunity to focus on cause and effect. I use a power point presentation that incorporates cause and effect, graphic organizers, and think and respond questions. I also use a vocabulary PowerPoint for this story.
Science: The students research windmills and their uses! The students draw a picture of a windmill and label its parts: wind, arms, horizontal bar, vertical shaft, water pump. The students compare uses of a windmill today compare to many years ago.
Social Studies: The students research a variety of plants and animals that can be found in the desert. We find various deserts across the world and discuss similarities and differences of each.
Writing: Students pretend to be Alejandro and keep a dairy of each days events.
Problem?Difficulties: None noted
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Random House Inc., 184 pages
Awards or Honors: Newberry Medal, Lewis Carroll Shelf Award, International Board on Books for Young People Honor List, several others
Summary: A young girl, Karana, gets stranded on an island off California's coast during the 1800s. She lives alone on the island for 18 years. While on the island, Karana must find shelter and food, survive a pack of wild dogs, and try to find a way off the island and back to her people. The story focuses on Karana's strength and courage, as well as her creative survival skills. Island of the Blue Dolphins is based on the story of a real girl who was stranded on an island for 18 years.
Personal Rating: **** Great- I love this story and so do my students. They cannot wait to see what is happening next. The students get into the emotions of the characters as well as the events that happen in the book. They have so many great questions to ask while reading the book, and this opens doors to several learning experiences.
Reading Level: 5.5
Interest Level: upper elementary to middle school
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
Geography: Students can work on map reading skills as well as map making skills. They can study the islands off California's coast where the real girl was rescued, and then make a map of Karana's island using details from the book.
Science: Weather- students can study natural disasters after reading about the tsunami Karana survives. Force and motion- students can build a raft or boat for Karana to use to get off the island. They must use materials Karana could have found on the island.
Social Studies: Native Americans- Students learn lots of information about Karana's tribe at Ghalas-at. They can compare the native islanders to the Native Americans found in this area (language, food, customs, etc.)
Writing: Interviewing- Students pretend to be Karana or another character from the book. One student acts as a news reporter, asking questions of the other student. Students then switch roles.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: Several words are used that have different meanings today (fag, thong, gay), Karana's "pet" dog dies in a dog fight
Publishing Info: Random House Inc., 184 pages
Awards or Honors: Newberry Medal, Lewis Carroll Shelf Award, International Board on Books for Young People Honor List, several others
Summary: A young girl, Karana, gets stranded on an island off California's coast during the 1800s. She lives alone on the island for 18 years. While on the island, Karana must find shelter and food, survive a pack of wild dogs, and try to find a way off the island and back to her people. The story focuses on Karana's strength and courage, as well as her creative survival skills. Island of the Blue Dolphins is based on the story of a real girl who was stranded on an island for 18 years.
Personal Rating: **** Great- I love this story and so do my students. They cannot wait to see what is happening next. The students get into the emotions of the characters as well as the events that happen in the book. They have so many great questions to ask while reading the book, and this opens doors to several learning experiences.
Reading Level: 5.5
Interest Level: upper elementary to middle school
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
Geography: Students can work on map reading skills as well as map making skills. They can study the islands off California's coast where the real girl was rescued, and then make a map of Karana's island using details from the book.
Science: Weather- students can study natural disasters after reading about the tsunami Karana survives. Force and motion- students can build a raft or boat for Karana to use to get off the island. They must use materials Karana could have found on the island.
Social Studies: Native Americans- Students learn lots of information about Karana's tribe at Ghalas-at. They can compare the native islanders to the Native Americans found in this area (language, food, customs, etc.)
Writing: Interviewing- Students pretend to be Karana or another character from the book. One student acts as a news reporter, asking questions of the other student. Students then switch roles.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: Several words are used that have different meanings today (fag, thong, gay), Karana's "pet" dog dies in a dog fight
My Goldfish by Pamela Walker
Book Genre: Non-fiction
Publishing Info: Children’s Press, 24 pages
Awards or honors received: None
Summary: A girl goes to a pet store and buys a new pet goldfish. She names her goldfish Goldie. The book talks a little bit about fish, and then tells how the little girl will take care of her new pet.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Good. This book is a really good book for young readers to read at the independent or instructional level. It uses big print and easy to use, and is on the interest level of many young readers.
Reading level: 1.2
Interest level: Pre K-1 (lower grades)
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): In social studies, this book would be good to use when talking about responsibility. In science the book would help out a unit on fish, or different types of animals.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: Even though this book is a lower reading level, and children in first grade could read independently, the book could be challenging for young readers. The text does not follow a pattern, like many easy readers, and the pictures do not help the reader decode too many words.
Publishing Info: Children’s Press, 24 pages
Awards or honors received: None
Summary: A girl goes to a pet store and buys a new pet goldfish. She names her goldfish Goldie. The book talks a little bit about fish, and then tells how the little girl will take care of her new pet.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Good. This book is a really good book for young readers to read at the independent or instructional level. It uses big print and easy to use, and is on the interest level of many young readers.
Reading level: 1.2
Interest level: Pre K-1 (lower grades)
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): In social studies, this book would be good to use when talking about responsibility. In science the book would help out a unit on fish, or different types of animals.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: Even though this book is a lower reading level, and children in first grade could read independently, the book could be challenging for young readers. The text does not follow a pattern, like many easy readers, and the pictures do not help the reader decode too many words.
Bear's New Friend by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman
Book Genre: Fantasy Fiction
Summary: Bear's New Friend is a story about a bear who hears sounds in the forest. He searchers through the woods trying to find out who was making the sound. His friends come and join him in the search for who could be making the sound. Many animals come and help until they finally find out that it is the mole. Bear and all his friends ask mole to come and play with them in the summer sun.
Personal rating: **** Great! This is a great story that is on a first grade reading level. It has beautiful pictures that shows the characteristics of wooded animals well.
Reading level: 1.9
Interest level: K-2
Integration: This book could be used in a science units about animals to discuss what kinds of animals live in the woods. It could be used to talk about bears and where they live. The teacher can also point out that this story is not true because the animals in this story talk and walk upright. The students can have a discussion about what real animals do in the woods. The teacher can also talk about what happends during summer, because this book takes place during the summer time. The students can talk about the difference between winter and summer.
In social studies the teacher can read this book whenever a new student enters the classroom. In reading this is a great book to have your students act out with stuffed animals or with themselves to reinforce comprehension.
Potential Problems: I see no potential problems with this book.
Summary: Bear's New Friend is a story about a bear who hears sounds in the forest. He searchers through the woods trying to find out who was making the sound. His friends come and join him in the search for who could be making the sound. Many animals come and help until they finally find out that it is the mole. Bear and all his friends ask mole to come and play with them in the summer sun.
Personal rating: **** Great! This is a great story that is on a first grade reading level. It has beautiful pictures that shows the characteristics of wooded animals well.
Reading level: 1.9
Interest level: K-2
Integration: This book could be used in a science units about animals to discuss what kinds of animals live in the woods. It could be used to talk about bears and where they live. The teacher can also point out that this story is not true because the animals in this story talk and walk upright. The students can have a discussion about what real animals do in the woods. The teacher can also talk about what happends during summer, because this book takes place during the summer time. The students can talk about the difference between winter and summer.
In social studies the teacher can read this book whenever a new student enters the classroom. In reading this is a great book to have your students act out with stuffed animals or with themselves to reinforce comprehension.
Potential Problems: I see no potential problems with this book.
Stone Fox
Title/Author: Stone Fox, John Reynolds Gardiner
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Publisher: HarperTrophy is a registered trade mark of HarperCollins Publishers Inc.
pages: 83
Awards/Honors: NA
Summary: A young boy struggles to keep his grandfather's farm from being taken due to taxes owed. He decides to enter a dog sled race in which the prize money is enough to save his grandfather's farm and his grandfather's life. The boy encounters many obstacles along his journey and learns a lesson in the greatest sacrifice one can make.
Personal Rating: ****Great!!! I loved this book and so did my students. Near the end of the story we were all crying when the greatest sacrifice is made.
Reading Level: 4.0
Interest Level: third grade to sixth grade
Problem/Difficulties: When the dog dies at the end of the story some of the children became emotional. It was overwhelming, but sad for some. It did give some of them a chance to share personal experiences.
Reading activities: There is a comprehension quiz that is given for every two chapters of the story. Character Analysis of Little Willy and also a character comparison of Little Willy and Stone Fox.
Math Activities: The students complete various exercises that involve taxes. The students also make Twice-Baked Potatoes. They need to measure the ingredients and follow the directions for time and temperature.
The students create a daily schedule of Little Willy's activities and the amount of time he spends on each of his daily activities. The children have to factor elasped time.
Art: Design a T-Shirt that could be given out as part of your entry in a dog sled race.
Writing: Write a different ending to the story, write letter to Little willy encouraging him to do his best, Write a letter for the town newspaper describing the dog sled race.
Social Studies: Locate on the map, Complete a KWL chart of Wyoming, plan route that would take the dog sled racers to various parts of the United States, Find other areas that hold dog sled races and compare and contrast.
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Publisher: HarperTrophy is a registered trade mark of HarperCollins Publishers Inc.
pages: 83
Awards/Honors: NA
Summary: A young boy struggles to keep his grandfather's farm from being taken due to taxes owed. He decides to enter a dog sled race in which the prize money is enough to save his grandfather's farm and his grandfather's life. The boy encounters many obstacles along his journey and learns a lesson in the greatest sacrifice one can make.
Personal Rating: ****Great!!! I loved this book and so did my students. Near the end of the story we were all crying when the greatest sacrifice is made.
Reading Level: 4.0
Interest Level: third grade to sixth grade
Problem/Difficulties: When the dog dies at the end of the story some of the children became emotional. It was overwhelming, but sad for some. It did give some of them a chance to share personal experiences.
Reading activities: There is a comprehension quiz that is given for every two chapters of the story. Character Analysis of Little Willy and also a character comparison of Little Willy and Stone Fox.
Math Activities: The students complete various exercises that involve taxes. The students also make Twice-Baked Potatoes. They need to measure the ingredients and follow the directions for time and temperature.
The students create a daily schedule of Little Willy's activities and the amount of time he spends on each of his daily activities. The children have to factor elasped time.
Art: Design a T-Shirt that could be given out as part of your entry in a dog sled race.
Writing: Write a different ending to the story, write letter to Little willy encouraging him to do his best, Write a letter for the town newspaper describing the dog sled race.
Social Studies: Locate on the map, Complete a KWL chart of Wyoming, plan route that would take the dog sled racers to various parts of the United States, Find other areas that hold dog sled races and compare and contrast.
Ruby in her Own Time by Jonathan Emmett
Book Genre: General fiction
Summary: Ruby is a duck who hatched out of one of five eggs. She did not hatch at first, but she finally did in her own time. She continued to do things slowly like eating and swimming. Even though she did other things slower, Ruby still flew when her brothers and sisters did. This book has a good moral with adorable pictures.
Personal rating: **** Great! This book has a great message that can be used at any age.
Reading level: 2.1
Interest level: K-2
Integration: In science teachers can use this book in a unit about ducks or ponds. The students can go through the pictures and look at plants and animals that live in a pond.
In social studies students can use this book to start a discussion about a time when they felt behind. This could also be used on a individual basis when a child feels like they are slower than the rest of class.
Potential Problems: The pictures in this book are very cute and may not be appropriate for older children.
Summary: Ruby is a duck who hatched out of one of five eggs. She did not hatch at first, but she finally did in her own time. She continued to do things slowly like eating and swimming. Even though she did other things slower, Ruby still flew when her brothers and sisters did. This book has a good moral with adorable pictures.
Personal rating: **** Great! This book has a great message that can be used at any age.
Reading level: 2.1
Interest level: K-2
Integration: In science teachers can use this book in a unit about ducks or ponds. The students can go through the pictures and look at plants and animals that live in a pond.
In social studies students can use this book to start a discussion about a time when they felt behind. This could also be used on a individual basis when a child feels like they are slower than the rest of class.
Potential Problems: The pictures in this book are very cute and may not be appropriate for older children.
Henry's Freedom Box by Kadir Nelson
Book Genre: Non-fiction
Publishing Info: Scholastic Inc., 40 pages
Awards or honors received: Caldecott Honor Book
Summary: This book is a true story, about a boy named Henry, who was a slave. Henry’s life as a slave is described in the beginning of the book, about his marriage and his children who were sold as slaves. He made a brave decision to put himself in a box and mail himself to Philadelphia, so he could be free. His journal across the country is described as he was thrown around in a box.
He was delieved and the box was open and he was in Philadelphia, and he was free!
Personal rating and reason for rating: **** Great! – This book is an awesome story about bravery and freedom. The author portrays feelings and emotions. He does his best to let the reader really understand what it was like to be in slavery, and the true dedication and emotion that was associated with freedom.
Reading level: 3.0
Interest level: 1-4Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): This book is a great story to use in a social studies unit on slavery. Also could be used for black history month.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: Just very deep, and a lot of emotion for younger grades and ages.
More Mr. and Mrs. Green by Kieth Baker
Book Genre: Fiction
Publisher Information: Harcourt, Inc., 2003 (68 pages)
Summary: Mr. and Mrs. Green are Alligators who enjoy life. They fish, paint, and go to the park together. The first chapter has Mr. Green catching all the fish so Mrs. Green makes him swap sides of the boat, trade fishing poles, and still doesn't catch the fish Mr. Green. does. He finally admits to her he has been using jelly beans! Mrs. Green uses Jelly Beans and begins to catch fish, too. Chapter 2 has Mrs. Green wanting to paint Mr. Green. She uses bright, beautiful colors. Eventually Mr. Green falls asleep while posing and then wakes up to find his picture is a crazy mixed up mess of color, but tells Mrs. Green, he loves it. They hang it on the wall with the many other pictures she has painted of him. The nest chapter has Mr. and Mrs. Green going to the park. They enjoy the butterflies, birds, monkey bars, wading pool, the flowers, and best of all the ice cream truck!
Personal Rating: (****Great) This is an incredible book because the author uses math equations to figure out the amount of fish being caught, uses interesting adjectives to describe the painting, and even mentions Picasso in the book. She uses wonderful illustrations of all the things the Greens see in the park and really keeps the two of them on the move. This is a great book for integrating math, art, and nature.
Reading level: 2
Interest Level: ages 4-8 (use as a read aloud to ages 4-6)
Possible Uses of the text integrated units of study:
Math: The book already show the number of 16 fish as 8+8, 4X4, 1/2 of 32. Some of these equations may be too hard for second graders, but this book could be used by first through third grade as the students progress in math. Using the book, I would cut out several fish, place them in a paper bucket and label the bucket as 8+8, 4x4, 1/2 of 32 as a model for the students. They would then create their own buckets of fish with as many forms of the amount as possible, depending on the grade level. Also, Mr. Green uses Jelly Beans to catch the fish and these would be good counting props, as well. The different colors would be useful for subtraction and addition and there's nothing like a jar full of jelly beans and an estimate contest with the winner winning the jar of jelly beans.
Art: Mrs. Greene uses very bright colors to paint Mr. Green and his portrait is an abstract. This would be a great way to introduce various forms of painting such as Cubism, Impressionistic, and Abstract. The students would create various paintings using these art forms after viewing pictures depicting these modes of art.
Science: Students would study alligators and their natural habitat.
Reading: This is a series of books and the reader will want to read more! Great motivational reading book.
Potential Problems: The book uses some hard words like enthusiasm, perplexed, and stupendous. These would be hard words for a student to decode if they are deficient in word skills. This book is fun enough that the students would not want to quit reading even though the words can be challenging.
Publisher Information: Harcourt, Inc., 2003 (68 pages)
Summary: Mr. and Mrs. Green are Alligators who enjoy life. They fish, paint, and go to the park together. The first chapter has Mr. Green catching all the fish so Mrs. Green makes him swap sides of the boat, trade fishing poles, and still doesn't catch the fish Mr. Green. does. He finally admits to her he has been using jelly beans! Mrs. Green uses Jelly Beans and begins to catch fish, too. Chapter 2 has Mrs. Green wanting to paint Mr. Green. She uses bright, beautiful colors. Eventually Mr. Green falls asleep while posing and then wakes up to find his picture is a crazy mixed up mess of color, but tells Mrs. Green, he loves it. They hang it on the wall with the many other pictures she has painted of him. The nest chapter has Mr. and Mrs. Green going to the park. They enjoy the butterflies, birds, monkey bars, wading pool, the flowers, and best of all the ice cream truck!
Personal Rating: (****Great) This is an incredible book because the author uses math equations to figure out the amount of fish being caught, uses interesting adjectives to describe the painting, and even mentions Picasso in the book. She uses wonderful illustrations of all the things the Greens see in the park and really keeps the two of them on the move. This is a great book for integrating math, art, and nature.
Reading level: 2
Interest Level: ages 4-8 (use as a read aloud to ages 4-6)
Possible Uses of the text integrated units of study:
Math: The book already show the number of 16 fish as 8+8, 4X4, 1/2 of 32. Some of these equations may be too hard for second graders, but this book could be used by first through third grade as the students progress in math. Using the book, I would cut out several fish, place them in a paper bucket and label the bucket as 8+8, 4x4, 1/2 of 32 as a model for the students. They would then create their own buckets of fish with as many forms of the amount as possible, depending on the grade level. Also, Mr. Green uses Jelly Beans to catch the fish and these would be good counting props, as well. The different colors would be useful for subtraction and addition and there's nothing like a jar full of jelly beans and an estimate contest with the winner winning the jar of jelly beans.
Art: Mrs. Greene uses very bright colors to paint Mr. Green and his portrait is an abstract. This would be a great way to introduce various forms of painting such as Cubism, Impressionistic, and Abstract. The students would create various paintings using these art forms after viewing pictures depicting these modes of art.
Science: Students would study alligators and their natural habitat.
Reading: This is a series of books and the reader will want to read more! Great motivational reading book.
Potential Problems: The book uses some hard words like enthusiasm, perplexed, and stupendous. These would be hard words for a student to decode if they are deficient in word skills. This book is fun enough that the students would not want to quit reading even though the words can be challenging.
The Mystery at Kill Devil Hills by Carole Marsh
Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery
Publisher Information: Gallopade International/Carole Marsh Books (145 pgs)
Awards: Learning Magazine's Teacher Choice Award
Summary: This is a mystery that revolves around 2 kids, Christina and Grant, who are heading to the Outer Banks of North Carolina with their grandparents to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Orville and Wilbur Wright's first flight. They meet up with their cousins in Manteo and are going to the festival with their aunt and uncle as well. Christina and Grant's uncle is on the team working to creat the replica of the plane used in the first flight. Things begin taking a turn for the worse when the replica ends up getting stolen. The children set off to solve this mystery together. They are bound and determined that the festival WILL go on and nothing (including horrible storms) can stop them.
Personal Rating ****Great! It is a great way to teach history using a mystery.
Reading Level: 4.5
Interest Level 3-5
Possible Integrations:
Social Studies: This is a great novel to integrate social studies with. You can discuss the history of the first flight. You can also practice using map skills to follow all the different places that the kids and their family travel during this mystery.
Reading: You can discuss cause and effect by listing the causes and effect of why someone would take the Wright Flyer. You can also talk about the elements of advertising and have students create a Flyer asking people to help locate the missing plane.
Science: You can discuss the elements of weather and hurricanes.
Potential Problems: None
Publisher Information: Gallopade International/Carole Marsh Books (145 pgs)
Awards: Learning Magazine's Teacher Choice Award
Summary: This is a mystery that revolves around 2 kids, Christina and Grant, who are heading to the Outer Banks of North Carolina with their grandparents to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Orville and Wilbur Wright's first flight. They meet up with their cousins in Manteo and are going to the festival with their aunt and uncle as well. Christina and Grant's uncle is on the team working to creat the replica of the plane used in the first flight. Things begin taking a turn for the worse when the replica ends up getting stolen. The children set off to solve this mystery together. They are bound and determined that the festival WILL go on and nothing (including horrible storms) can stop them.
Personal Rating ****Great! It is a great way to teach history using a mystery.
Reading Level: 4.5
Interest Level 3-5
Possible Integrations:
Social Studies: This is a great novel to integrate social studies with. You can discuss the history of the first flight. You can also practice using map skills to follow all the different places that the kids and their family travel during this mystery.
Reading: You can discuss cause and effect by listing the causes and effect of why someone would take the Wright Flyer. You can also talk about the elements of advertising and have students create a Flyer asking people to help locate the missing plane.
Science: You can discuss the elements of weather and hurricanes.
Potential Problems: None
Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco
Genre: Fiction
Publisher Information: Philomel Books (31 pgs)
Awards: none
Summary: Thunder Cake is a story written about a little girl and her grandmother from Russia. The little girl is terrified of thunderstorms and so at the first sound of thunder her grandmother helps her to become preoccupied with baking a Thunder Cake, so that she will not worry about the storm that is heading their way. They count from the first flash of lightning until they hear a clap of thunder in order to tell how much time they have left to get their Thunder Cake in the oven. By the time the storm reaches their little farm house, the cake is complete, and the little girl and her grandmother enjoy eating their Thunder Cake while the storm rolls around them!
Reading Level: 3.5
Interest Level: 2-5
Integration Ideas:
Reading and Math- You can bake the Thunder Cake at the end of the story and discuss the elements of a recipe and following the directions of a recipe.
Math- Students can look at the different illustrations in the book, focusing on the patterns on the clothing and rugs, to find different patterns used. You can discuss patterns and how they can repeat. You can teach the students how to figure out the missing picture or number in patterns.
Social Studies: You can discuss your family tree and allow the students to make a simple family tree.
Writing: The students could write about a fear that they have and how they overcame it.
Personal Rating **** Great! This book is full of vibrant illustrations and a great story to bring about a discussion of fears and how to overcome them!
Potential Problems: None
Publisher Information: Philomel Books (31 pgs)
Awards: none
Summary: Thunder Cake is a story written about a little girl and her grandmother from Russia. The little girl is terrified of thunderstorms and so at the first sound of thunder her grandmother helps her to become preoccupied with baking a Thunder Cake, so that she will not worry about the storm that is heading their way. They count from the first flash of lightning until they hear a clap of thunder in order to tell how much time they have left to get their Thunder Cake in the oven. By the time the storm reaches their little farm house, the cake is complete, and the little girl and her grandmother enjoy eating their Thunder Cake while the storm rolls around them!
Reading Level: 3.5
Interest Level: 2-5
Integration Ideas:
Reading and Math- You can bake the Thunder Cake at the end of the story and discuss the elements of a recipe and following the directions of a recipe.
Math- Students can look at the different illustrations in the book, focusing on the patterns on the clothing and rugs, to find different patterns used. You can discuss patterns and how they can repeat. You can teach the students how to figure out the missing picture or number in patterns.
Social Studies: You can discuss your family tree and allow the students to make a simple family tree.
Writing: The students could write about a fear that they have and how they overcame it.
Personal Rating **** Great! This book is full of vibrant illustrations and a great story to bring about a discussion of fears and how to overcome them!
Potential Problems: None
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Book Genre: Fantasy/fiction
Publishing Info: Houghton Mifflin Company (289 pages)
Awards: None
Summary: This book is a prelude to the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. It introduces the readers to a wide cast of characters and fictional races that include Hobbits, Elves, dwarfs, and others. They all live in Middle Earth and go on an adventure with many turns and twists. The purpose of their journey is to take back a great treasure from a dragon named Smaug who had previously stolen it from the Hobbit's ancestors.
Personal Rating: ****Great! I like adventure books. Even though it's a fairly long story, it keeps you interested throughout with suspense and wondering what is going to happen next.
Reading Level: 6.6
Interest Level: 5-6
Possible uses in reading and writing across the curriculum:
This would be a great book to include in a genre study unit on fantasy books. Not every student will like it, but given as a choice for a book club, it would be a good teaching tool. Many writing ideas come to mind within the context of this book. Students could create their own fantasy stories, write alternate endings of this book, character analysis, etc... Because the characters travel through many lands, you could integrate math and geography by designing maps of Middle Earth.
Potential Problems or difficulties: Readers need to have good decoding skills in order to read this book. The author uses many nonsense words for names of characters and settings.
Publishing Info: Houghton Mifflin Company (289 pages)
Awards: None
Summary: This book is a prelude to the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. It introduces the readers to a wide cast of characters and fictional races that include Hobbits, Elves, dwarfs, and others. They all live in Middle Earth and go on an adventure with many turns and twists. The purpose of their journey is to take back a great treasure from a dragon named Smaug who had previously stolen it from the Hobbit's ancestors.
Personal Rating: ****Great! I like adventure books. Even though it's a fairly long story, it keeps you interested throughout with suspense and wondering what is going to happen next.
Reading Level: 6.6
Interest Level: 5-6
Possible uses in reading and writing across the curriculum:
This would be a great book to include in a genre study unit on fantasy books. Not every student will like it, but given as a choice for a book club, it would be a good teaching tool. Many writing ideas come to mind within the context of this book. Students could create their own fantasy stories, write alternate endings of this book, character analysis, etc... Because the characters travel through many lands, you could integrate math and geography by designing maps of Middle Earth.
Potential Problems or difficulties: Readers need to have good decoding skills in order to read this book. The author uses many nonsense words for names of characters and settings.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Annie and Snowball and the Prettiest House by Cynthia Rylant
Book Genre: Fiction
Publisher Information: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, 2007 (40 pages)
Summary: Annie and Snowball live next door to Henry and Mudge. Annie and Henry are cousins and best friends. Annie lives with her dad and is a very girly girl living in an ugly house. She knows her dad doesn't know how to make things pretty. She dreams of having a beautiful house and tells Henry about her dreams. Annie, Henry and Mudge return home and ask his mother if they could go through the attic to look for pretty things. The big attic is full of lovely things for Annie. Henry's family is kind enough to pack up just about every thing except Henry's father's tuba and take i t over to Annie's house, making her dreams come true. After the big move they all sit down for a wonderful dinner in the new pretty kitchen!
Personal Rating: ( *** Good) This was a good story about a little girl living alone with her father and I believe in a society where many children live in one parent households, the author was very sensitive to the feelings of the little girl. She is a character many children could relate to and to have relatives help out was not a charity act, but an act of kindness. These books must be loved by a lot of children because my son screamed, "A Henry and Mudge Book!" There must be a series of Henry and Mudge books and many fans of them.
Reading Level: 2.3
Interest Level: ages 5-7 ( and apparently 10 years old because my book has disappeared!)
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
Reading: Since Henry and Mudge are series books, once the student's interest is captured, they will want to read all of them.
Writing: Once the students have become familiar with Henry and Mudge, students will write their own short story about a Henry and Mudge adventure or an adventure with their own self and their pet. If they don't have a pet, a class pet will suffice.
Art: The students will illustrate their books and make covers for them to take home for their own reading pleasure.
Potential Problems: None I can predict.
Beverly Ross
Publisher Information: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, 2007 (40 pages)
Summary: Annie and Snowball live next door to Henry and Mudge. Annie and Henry are cousins and best friends. Annie lives with her dad and is a very girly girl living in an ugly house. She knows her dad doesn't know how to make things pretty. She dreams of having a beautiful house and tells Henry about her dreams. Annie, Henry and Mudge return home and ask his mother if they could go through the attic to look for pretty things. The big attic is full of lovely things for Annie. Henry's family is kind enough to pack up just about every thing except Henry's father's tuba and take i t over to Annie's house, making her dreams come true. After the big move they all sit down for a wonderful dinner in the new pretty kitchen!
Personal Rating: ( *** Good) This was a good story about a little girl living alone with her father and I believe in a society where many children live in one parent households, the author was very sensitive to the feelings of the little girl. She is a character many children could relate to and to have relatives help out was not a charity act, but an act of kindness. These books must be loved by a lot of children because my son screamed, "A Henry and Mudge Book!" There must be a series of Henry and Mudge books and many fans of them.
Reading Level: 2.3
Interest Level: ages 5-7 ( and apparently 10 years old because my book has disappeared!)
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
Reading: Since Henry and Mudge are series books, once the student's interest is captured, they will want to read all of them.
Writing: Once the students have become familiar with Henry and Mudge, students will write their own short story about a Henry and Mudge adventure or an adventure with their own self and their pet. If they don't have a pet, a class pet will suffice.
Art: The students will illustrate their books and make covers for them to take home for their own reading pleasure.
Potential Problems: None I can predict.
Beverly Ross
The BFG by Roald Dahl
Genre: Fantasy
Publishing Information: Puffin Books (206 pgs)
Awards: none
Summary: The BFG (The Big Friendly Giant) is written about the many adventures of the giant with a little girl that he captured when she woke up one night while the BFG was trying to steal her dreams. The BFG and Sophie go on many different adventures to ultimately try and stop all the bone-crunching giants once and for all. This is an account of all the exciting things that these two friends run into.
Personal Rating: ***Good-this book is a little hard to read aloud due to the made-up words and language.
Possible integration: This book reinforces and gives the teacher ample opportunity to use their context clues. Because of all the nonsense words, it is imperative for the students to use their context clues to figure out what the word is they are discussing.
The use of figurative language in this is very dramatic. This gives teachers the opportunity to discuss the different types of figurative language and how they are used in writing.
Reading Level: 5.8
Interest Level: 3-5
Potential Problems: The amount of nonsense words make it extremely difficult to read and to understand. It is important to use those context clues to figure out what is being discussied.
I Took My Frog to the Library by Eric A Kimmel
Book Genre: Comedy and Humor
Publishing Information: Penguin Putnam, Inc, 32 pages
Summary: This fictional book is about a little girl who takes different types of animals to the library. As she talks brings the animals to the library they cause different things to happen. For example the frog jumps on the librarian's desk and scares her. The python sheds its skin all over the books. At the end all the animals are left at home where they read to themselves. The pictures are colorful and demonstrate what would happen if animals really came into the library. I Took My Frog to the Library is imaginative and entertaining for children of all ages.
Personal rating: ***Good This is a good solid fun book that can be read as a read aloud for children.
Reading level: 2.5
Interest level: K-2
Integration: This book could be used to discuss social skills about how to act in the library. The animals just wanted to read, but they did innapropriate things inside the library.
In writing children could use this idea to write their own stories about what happened one day when they brought an animal to the library.
Potential Problems: The only problem that I see with this book is the fact that the little girl is breaking a rule by bringing animals in the library.
Publishing Information: Penguin Putnam, Inc, 32 pages
Summary: This fictional book is about a little girl who takes different types of animals to the library. As she talks brings the animals to the library they cause different things to happen. For example the frog jumps on the librarian's desk and scares her. The python sheds its skin all over the books. At the end all the animals are left at home where they read to themselves. The pictures are colorful and demonstrate what would happen if animals really came into the library. I Took My Frog to the Library is imaginative and entertaining for children of all ages.
Personal rating: ***Good This is a good solid fun book that can be read as a read aloud for children.
Reading level: 2.5
Interest level: K-2
Integration: This book could be used to discuss social skills about how to act in the library. The animals just wanted to read, but they did innapropriate things inside the library.
In writing children could use this idea to write their own stories about what happened one day when they brought an animal to the library.
Potential Problems: The only problem that I see with this book is the fact that the little girl is breaking a rule by bringing animals in the library.
Thank you, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
Book Genre: Realistic Fiction
The Putnam& Grosset Group (35 pgs)
Awards: None
Summary: This story is about a little girl named Trisha who can not wait to get into school and learn how to read. After she starts school, reading or anything academically driven does not come easy for her. She is constantly made fun of and receives no help from her teacher. When her mom gets a new job and she moves across country, Trisha is hopeful that her new school will not realize how much she struggles in school. That is not the case. She is still made fun of on a daily basis and still struggles in the "academic world." A new school year begins and there is a new teacher in the school Mr. Falker is a teacher who looks out for Trisha's every move and makes sure she is comfortable with who is is and he puts time and effort to fulfill Trisha's dream to read and write. At the end of the story, the author reveals that this is, in fact, an autobiographical account of her life.
Personal Rating: ****Great! This book is a great "feel good" book. This book gives everyone who reads it a new outlook on life in education.
Reading Level: 4.1
Interest Level: 3-5
Possible Integration:
Reading (connections): This is a great book to use on making connections. There could be a journal writing time where students are allowed to write about a time where they did not feel like they were being successful in some dream they were trying to achieve.
Character Development- Trisha has very distinct character traits during certain times during the story. This can lead to great use of a graphic organizer to show the change in character development.
Writing: Students can write a thank you letter to someone who has made a difference in their life.
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