Book Genre: Nonfiction
Publishing Info: Children’s Press and 48 pages
Awards or honors received: None at this time
Summary: This book is about the American Flag. It talks about how the flag came about and the history of it. The book describes how the flag is a symbol of freedom that stands for the land, people, and government of the United States.
Personal rating and reason for rating: **** Great! I think that this book give great information about our American Flag. I read this book to my students just for fun. The students enjoyed listening to it and asked a lot of question about the American Flag.
Reading level: 4.8
Interest level: K-6 or any if students want to learn about the American Flag
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): This book could be used in a history lesson of the United States of America. Also, this book could be used to talk about holidays around the world and when other countries celebrate their independence day as well.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I don’t see any.
Showing posts with label Ashley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ashley. Show all posts
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Jumanji By Chris Van Allsburg
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Houghton Mifflin and 27 pages
Awards or honors received: The Caldecott Medal
Summary: This book is about a jungle adventure board game that becomes a real life game for Judy and Peter, who are the main characters. The game is not over until one player reaches the golden city. During the game Judy and Peter encounters lions, monkeys, rhinoceros, snakes, and many more animals. After Judy reaches the golden city she yelled “Jumanji” and the game was over and all the animals and messed up house were gone and cleaned up.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Great! I enjoyed reading this book. I love animals and this is a great adventure that involves animals. I think that students will enjoy listening and reading this story. I have not read it to my students yet, but when I do I feel that they will enjoy it. I think this book will help students that don’t really like to read, but may need some encouragement.
Reading level: 3.9
Interest level: I would say K-4
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): A wonderful activity to do with your students would be a dialogue response journal. This book could be read for fun before school lets out and for homework have the students write or if they are younger have them draw their interpretation of the story. The next day the teacher can respond to the journal entry. For math the students could graph their favorite animal from the story.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I don’t see any at this time.
Publishing Info: Houghton Mifflin and 27 pages
Awards or honors received: The Caldecott Medal
Summary: This book is about a jungle adventure board game that becomes a real life game for Judy and Peter, who are the main characters. The game is not over until one player reaches the golden city. During the game Judy and Peter encounters lions, monkeys, rhinoceros, snakes, and many more animals. After Judy reaches the golden city she yelled “Jumanji” and the game was over and all the animals and messed up house were gone and cleaned up.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Great! I enjoyed reading this book. I love animals and this is a great adventure that involves animals. I think that students will enjoy listening and reading this story. I have not read it to my students yet, but when I do I feel that they will enjoy it. I think this book will help students that don’t really like to read, but may need some encouragement.
Reading level: 3.9
Interest level: I would say K-4
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): A wonderful activity to do with your students would be a dialogue response journal. This book could be read for fun before school lets out and for homework have the students write or if they are younger have them draw their interpretation of the story. The next day the teacher can respond to the journal entry. For math the students could graph their favorite animal from the story.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I don’t see any at this time.
Monday, June 1, 2009
The Polar Express By: Chris Van Allsburg
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Houghton Mifflin and 32 pages
Awards or honors received: Caldecott Medal
Summary: This book takes you on an amazing journey with words and illustrations. The story is about a little boy who is told that Santa does not exist. On Christmas Eve he is awaken by a loud train and he gets on. He and other children journey to the North Pole. After his journey to the North Pole and receiving the first present from Santa he gets back on the train and goes home. The little boy learns that you have to believe in Christmas and that you have to hear the spirit because the spirit of Santa is in your heart.
Personal rating and reason for rating: **** Great! – I just love this book. The students really enjoy this Christmas book. I feel that is a great book because it shows how you just believe in something and that something becomes real to you.
Reading level: 3.8
Interest level: K-3 (this book is great for primary grades)
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum):
This book could be used during Christmas time. This would be a wonderful book to have the students write about their Christmas traditions. After doing this activity students could discuss different religious beliefs in the classroom.
As a fun activity students could watch the movie. After the movie students could compare the book to the movies using a Venn Diagram.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: If you have students with different religious beliefs.
Publishing Info: Houghton Mifflin and 32 pages
Awards or honors received: Caldecott Medal
Summary: This book takes you on an amazing journey with words and illustrations. The story is about a little boy who is told that Santa does not exist. On Christmas Eve he is awaken by a loud train and he gets on. He and other children journey to the North Pole. After his journey to the North Pole and receiving the first present from Santa he gets back on the train and goes home. The little boy learns that you have to believe in Christmas and that you have to hear the spirit because the spirit of Santa is in your heart.
Personal rating and reason for rating: **** Great! – I just love this book. The students really enjoy this Christmas book. I feel that is a great book because it shows how you just believe in something and that something becomes real to you.
Reading level: 3.8
Interest level: K-3 (this book is great for primary grades)
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum):
This book could be used during Christmas time. This would be a wonderful book to have the students write about their Christmas traditions. After doing this activity students could discuss different religious beliefs in the classroom.
As a fun activity students could watch the movie. After the movie students could compare the book to the movies using a Venn Diagram.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: If you have students with different religious beliefs.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
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.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Madeline's Rescue By: Ludwig Bemelmans
Book Genre: Modern Fantasy/Fiction
Publishing Info: Viking Penguin and 52 pages
Awards or honors received: The Caldecott Medal
Summary: This story is about a character named Madeline. She lived in Paris in a vine covered house. Madeline is one of twelve little girls who live in the house. One day she falls in the river and is rescued by a dog. They name the dog Genevieve. After the dog has puppies and the little girls did not have to argue over Genevieve anymore.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Good – I like this book. I read it to my first grades and they love it. What makes this book good is because it shows the happiness a dog brings to a family no matter what kind of family it is.
Reading level: 3.2
Interest level: K-3(Lower Grades)
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): Language Arts – This book could be used in a unit of study on feelings. This book could be used to help spark writing activities about what kind of pets do they have.
Math – Students could use linking cubes to show the number 12 like the little girls walk in line. They could practice add and subtracting the cubes as if the girls were going somewhere.
Science – Students could study different animal families. They could discuss how animals and humans are alike and different.
Social Studies – Students could discuss how animal and human communities are alike and different. Discuss family with students like things they like to do with their families. Also, you could so something with breaking the rules. They could also find Paris on a map to help with map skills.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I don't see any at this time.
Publishing Info: Viking Penguin and 52 pages
Awards or honors received: The Caldecott Medal
Summary: This story is about a character named Madeline. She lived in Paris in a vine covered house. Madeline is one of twelve little girls who live in the house. One day she falls in the river and is rescued by a dog. They name the dog Genevieve. After the dog has puppies and the little girls did not have to argue over Genevieve anymore.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Good – I like this book. I read it to my first grades and they love it. What makes this book good is because it shows the happiness a dog brings to a family no matter what kind of family it is.
Reading level: 3.2
Interest level: K-3(Lower Grades)
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): Language Arts – This book could be used in a unit of study on feelings. This book could be used to help spark writing activities about what kind of pets do they have.
Math – Students could use linking cubes to show the number 12 like the little girls walk in line. They could practice add and subtracting the cubes as if the girls were going somewhere.
Science – Students could study different animal families. They could discuss how animals and humans are alike and different.
Social Studies – Students could discuss how animal and human communities are alike and different. Discuss family with students like things they like to do with their families. Also, you could so something with breaking the rules. They could also find Paris on a map to help with map skills.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I don't see any at this time.
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble By: William Steig
Book Genre: Modern Fantasy/Fiction
Publishing Info: Simon & Schuster, Inc. and 42 pages
Awards or honors received: The Caldecott Medal
Summary: This story is about a horse family. The main character of the story is Sylvester. He loved to collect pebbles of all shapes and colors. One day he found a magic pebble and he made wishes on it and they came true. Sylvester wished he was a rock and he was for along time. His family searched and searched for him. They finally found him when they took a picnic and placed the magic pebble on the rock they were eating off of and Sylvester wish he was himself again.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Good – I like this book. I read it to my first grades and they love it. I feel that it's a good book because it shows different feeling. I not found a lot of books that are sad that are appropriate for students.
Reading level: 4.0
Interest level: K-4 (Lower Grades)
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): Language Arts – This book could be used in a unit of study on feelings. This book could be used to help spark writing activities such as writing a creative stories on animals.
Math – Students could graph different feelings they have throughout the day then the class could tally the entire classes feelings.
Science – Students could study different animal families. They could discuss how animals and humans are alike and different.
Social Studies – Students could discuss how animal and human communities are alike and different. Discuss family with students like things they like to do with their families.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I think a potential problem would be the feelings aspect of the story. I think that students could feel too sad when hearing the story. Every thing else I believe is fine.
Publishing Info: Simon & Schuster, Inc. and 42 pages
Awards or honors received: The Caldecott Medal
Summary: This story is about a horse family. The main character of the story is Sylvester. He loved to collect pebbles of all shapes and colors. One day he found a magic pebble and he made wishes on it and they came true. Sylvester wished he was a rock and he was for along time. His family searched and searched for him. They finally found him when they took a picnic and placed the magic pebble on the rock they were eating off of and Sylvester wish he was himself again.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Good – I like this book. I read it to my first grades and they love it. I feel that it's a good book because it shows different feeling. I not found a lot of books that are sad that are appropriate for students.
Reading level: 4.0
Interest level: K-4 (Lower Grades)
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): Language Arts – This book could be used in a unit of study on feelings. This book could be used to help spark writing activities such as writing a creative stories on animals.
Math – Students could graph different feelings they have throughout the day then the class could tally the entire classes feelings.
Science – Students could study different animal families. They could discuss how animals and humans are alike and different.
Social Studies – Students could discuss how animal and human communities are alike and different. Discuss family with students like things they like to do with their families.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I think a potential problem would be the feelings aspect of the story. I think that students could feel too sad when hearing the story. Every thing else I believe is fine.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Weather Words By: Gail Gibbons
Book Genre: Nonfiction
Publishing Info: Holiday House and 32 pages
Awards or honors received: Not any at this time
Summary: This is an information book that depicts the weather. This book takes you through the daily changes in the weather. The book defines weather terms such as temperature, air pressure, and wind. Th book also introduces weather words like sunny, cloudy, and partly sunny or cloudy. At the end of the book it tells that the weather is forever changing and very interesting.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Good – I like this book because it gives child an insight of weather and all there terms.
Reading level: 3.5
Interest level: K-5
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
Science -- This book could be used in a weather unit because this book goes into details of weather words and defines them.
Language Arts – Great way to utilize this book would to integrate it in to writing assignments. Students could use this book as a reference to weather words as they keep a weather journal.
Math – Students could graph the weather.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I don't see any problems or difficulties.
Publishing Info: Holiday House and 32 pages
Awards or honors received: Not any at this time
Summary: This is an information book that depicts the weather. This book takes you through the daily changes in the weather. The book defines weather terms such as temperature, air pressure, and wind. Th book also introduces weather words like sunny, cloudy, and partly sunny or cloudy. At the end of the book it tells that the weather is forever changing and very interesting.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Good – I like this book because it gives child an insight of weather and all there terms.
Reading level: 3.5
Interest level: K-5
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
Science -- This book could be used in a weather unit because this book goes into details of weather words and defines them.
Language Arts – Great way to utilize this book would to integrate it in to writing assignments. Students could use this book as a reference to weather words as they keep a weather journal.
Math – Students could graph the weather.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I don't see any problems or difficulties.
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