Archive for Intermediate (3-5)

Text Sets in the Elementary Classroom

May 23, 2013 · Filed under Fiction, History, Intermediate (3-5), Math, Nonfiction, Novels, Picture Books, Primary (K-2), Science, Science Fiction, Social Studies

Teachers and librarians know that pairing fiction and nonfiction is a great way to get students to think more deeply and creatively about particular areas of study. Common Core calls for an infusion of more nonfiction in the classroom, and one of the anchor standards addresses the use of multiple texts on a particular theme or topic (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.9: Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take).

With lots of great nonfiction to choose from and a plethora of fiction titles that weave in innovative ideas not usually associated with fiction, using text sets is easier than ever. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Topic: Helping the Environment (upper elementary)

3115867This Journal Belongs to Ratchet by Nancy Cavanaugh features an eleven-year-old girl who, motherless, believes she has no role model and is lost in trying to “become who I’m really supposed to be.” Her father, eternally distracted by auto repairs and his tireless campaign to save a local park, appears to Ratchet as a less-than-ideal resource as she struggles to find ways to make friends and fit in. An unlikely role with a group of boys building go-carts forges a first friendship and a renewed relationship between Ratchet and her father. As the time comes for the park to be destroyed, Ratchet and her allies lay down a valiant effort to save it. This heartwarming novel is creatively written as Ratchet’s journal, on lined paper in a font that looks like handwriting. Graphic organizers and doodles accompany her various journal entries, or “writing exercises,” as she labels them. (ISBN 9781402281068. Gr 4-6.)

3060428Make a Splash! by Cathryn Berger Kaye and Philippe Cousteau is a junior activists’ guide to working on projects that benefit water and the environment. Neatly broken into chapters based on the five main tenets of service learning—Investigate, Prepare, Act, Reflect, and Demonstrate—it also features sidebars and text bubbles that offer statistics, definitions, tips, and other interesting facts and ideas. Colorful, fun spreads and interesting info bits make this book accessible and engaging for everyone. Co-authored by Phillipe Cousteau, the grandson of Jacques Cousteau and founder of EarthEcho–an organization dedicated to empowering youth in restoring and protecting the earth’s water. (ISBN 9781575424170. Gr 4-6.)

You might also consider…

Flush by Carl Hiaasen (ISBN 9780375841859. Gr 6-8.)

Not Your Typical Book about the Environment by Elin Kelsey (ISBN 9781897349847. Gr 3-6.)

Operation Redwood by S. Terrell French (ISBN 9780810997202. Gr 4-6.)

Topic: Aftermath of a Hurricane (middle/upper elementary)

2982305In Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes, Lanesha lives in this New Orleans community with her beloved Mama Ya-Ya, the elderly woman who took her in as an infant after her own mother died at Lanesha’s birth. Mama Ya-Ya’s kindness, confidence, and extraordinary abilities are things she shares with Lanesha–who also has the “sight,” recognizing the ghost of her mother in Mama Ya-Ya’s bedroom, as well as other ghosts that mill about at school and in the streets. Mama Ya-Ya’s sixth sense warns her that a terrible storm is coming, and Lanesha helps her prepare for it. As the water rises in the Ninth Ward, Lanesha, Mama Ya-Ya, the neighbor boy TaShon, and a friendly stray dog hole up in the attic, hoping for help to come. When it doesn’t, Lanesha’s resilience and resourcefulness are challenged like never before. (ISBN 9780316043083. Gr 4-7.)

Mangled by a Hurricane by Miriam Aronin is a nonfiction ac2636204count of Hurricane Katrina, narrating the true stories of survivors of the disaster in the Ninth Ward, many of whom survived by climbing onto the roofs of their homes (like Lanesha in the novel). The narratives are accompanied by scientific explanations of the storm and the destruction it left behind. Text features include sidebars, diagrams, safety tips, a glossary, and a bibliography. (ISBN 9781936087495. Gr 3-6.)

You might also consider…

Hurricane Katrina by Peggy Caravantes (ISBN 9781617839580. Gr 3-6. 8/13.)

Saint Louis Armstrong Beach by Brenda Woods (ISBN 9780142421864. Gr 4-7.)

Topic: Numbers and Equations (middle/upper elementary)

3230952Numbed! by David Lubar is a fun novel featuring Logan and Benedict, two youngsters who dare to trespass in a secret research area inside a mathematics museum. They encounter a strange robot that “numbs” them–causing them to forget how to do any math at all. To become “un-numbed,” the boys need to perform a series of tasks within the museum so that they are able to calculate math again and get good grades on an upcoming math test at school. Dr. Thagoras at the museum and their teacher, Ms. Fractalli, guide the two in realizing the value of math in this light read in which the chapter numbers are equations for the reader to solve. (ISBN 9781467705943. Gr 2-5.)

2662960Math: A Book You Can Count On! created by Simon Basher and written by Dan Green, part of a fun nonfiction series for kids, features a cast of characters known as the Number Bunch. These entertaining characters introduce mathematical concepts in a fun and light-hearted manner (Zero: “I am called nix, zip, zilch, nada, zippo…Hovering between being and not-being, I am one of the most important numbers in math”). (ISBN 9780753464199. Gr 3-6.)

You might also consider…

Edgar Allan Poe’s Pie: Math Puzzlers in Classic Poems by J. Patrick Lewis (ISBN 9780547513386. Gr 1-4.)

The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos by Deborah Heiligman (ISBN 9781596433076. Gr 2-5. 6/13.)

The 14 Fibs of Gregory K. by Greg Pincus (ISBN 9780439912990. Gr 4-6. 10/13.)

Topic: Leadership—Mandela’s South Africa (early elementary)

3035873The Herd Boy by Niki Daily tells the story of a day in the life of Malusi, a young boy growing up in the veld, a steppe region in South Africa, where he tends a herd of sheep and goats–a big responsibility for a young boy. While keeping his animals safe, Malusi finds time for a bit of soccer with his friend Lungisa and some lunch with his sister, but he springs to action when baboons threaten the herd and a lamb is wounded. As he carries the lamb home, he and Lungisa encounter a car. The driver (Nelson Mandela, as is apparent in the illustration) stops to talk with them and discovers that Malusi dreams of being president one day. He tells Malusi, “a boy who looks after his herd will make a very fine leader.” A glossary in the back of the book defines Xhosa and Afrikaans words that appear throughout the story, and an author’s note explains how many great leaders have come from humble beginnings. The beautiful story and illustrations evoke the sensory experiences of a day in Malusi’s life. (ISBN 9780802854179. Gr K-2.)

3038756Nelson Mandela by Kadir Nelson is one of the most striking books I have ever seen. This biography tells in sophisticated, deliberate prose the story of this world leader’s life, accompanied by gorgeous, realistic, large-as-life paintings of people and events along the way. This is a powerful introduction to Mandela that will grab students’ attention and spur meaningful discussions about determination and leadership. (ISBN 9780061783746. Gr K-3.)

You might also consider…

Leadership by Sue Barraclough (ISBN 9781432933227. Gr 1-3.)

The World Is Waiting for You by Barbara Kerley (ISBN 9781426311147. Gr PS-3.)

Many teachers begin with the story–the fiction title–and then fuel students’ desire for more information by providing the nonfiction title. Look around the Internet for creative ways to use these text sets–there are lots of fun ideas! You can start by trying these sites:

Read Write Think

The Reading Zone

Layers of Learning

Blogger: Lori C.

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Face Your Fears

May 20, 2013 · Filed under Fiction, Graphic Novel, High School, Intermediate (3-5), Middle School (6-8), Novels, Realistic · Tagged , , , , , ,

As I was choosing titles for our Spring 2013 webcast, I noticed a theme running through several of the books that ended up on my final list.  Perhaps it is my taste in books showing through my choices or maybe it’s a larger trend in children’s publishing this season. Either way, I highly recommend these books for exploring the idea of facing your fears and moving on.

sleepwalkersSleepwalkers by Viviane Schwarz. May 2013. 9780763662301. Gr. 2-6

If you’re ever afraid to go to sleep, all you need to do is leave a letter under your pillow for the Sleepwalkers.  They will save you from your nightmares.  The Sleepwalkers take on the monsters and scary situations that disturb our sleep by giving the dreamer what they need to face their fears. But the three heroes have been rescuing children from their nightmares for a long time, and they are ready to train their replacements.  This is the story of the new Sleepwalkers as they learn to conquer their own fears right in the dreams of the children they are rescuing.  Viviane Schwartz creates a fantastic world with unusual heroes that just may  have young readers looking at their dreams and fears with new perspective.

aftereliAfter Eli by Rebecca Rupp. August 2012. 9780763658106. Gr. 6-8

It’s been three years since Daniel’s brother Eli died in Iraq.  Though that time has passed, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the pain has lessened.  Daniel still adds names to the Book of Death notebook where he lists the names of people who have died particularly senseless or cruel deaths.  His parents aren’t really present for him anymore, and Daniel is focused on keeping the memory of his brother alive on his own.  When he meets some unconventional new friends, he finds that he is slowly drawn in to their lives, which is what he needs to be able to process his grief and move on.

willandwhitWill & Whit by Laura Lee Gulledge. May 2013. 9781419705465. Gr. 7-10

Wilhelmina Huckstep has an old fashioned soul—she likes old things and a simple life—but she is haunted by shadows, and she has been ever since her parents died. She would love to eschew modern life to spend time with her friends without technology getting in the way, but she’s embarrassed to admit that she’s afraid of the dark.  It turns out that Hurricane Whitney forces the issue when it knocks out the power, and makes Will and everyone else in town to do without for a few days.  Artistically inclined readers may relate to the way Will uses art to face her grief from her parents’ death.  Will is a likable heroine, and her story will have readers alternately cheering for her and tearing up.

There’s a lot more in the webcast on this theme and beyond.  I thought I’d pick just a few of them to share on the blog perhaps to entice those of you who haven’t watched the webcast yet to check it out.  You’ll hear my voice in the sections devoted to realistic teen fiction, graphic novels, and secondary science.  :)

MindyBlogger:  Mindy R.

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Basketball and Literacy

May 16, 2013 · Filed under Intermediate (3-5), Nonfiction, Picture Books, Reviews, Sports · Tagged , , , , , ,

Let’s talk hoops!

I am a big basketball fan, but for some reason my slow, low-jumping, 5’11” body was not attractive to NBA General Managers, and alas, I was not selected in the 1992 (or any other) NBA draft, so my career ended in high school.  But that’s what is great about sports…anyone can be a fan of the game even if you aren’t highly skilled.

The college season recently wrapped up with March Madness crowning Louisville as king, and the NBA Playoffs are currently in full swing.  I thought this would be a great time to talk about a basketball-related event and contest we recently had here at Mackin, and about a great new basketball-themed title I love.

Recently, a group of us at Mackin gathered to watch a webcast featuring two giants of their respective fields:  James Patterson, author of numerous books for children and adults, and Dwyane Wade, star guard for the NBA’s Miami Heat.  Their common bond is that they are outspoken advocates for getting children to read, so that makes me an instant fan of them both.  The webcast featured their commentary about the importance of reading in their youth, as well as answering questions from students at Ponce de Leon Middle School in Florida.  Also featured were video clips from other NBA stars, encouraging kids to read.  Overall, the webcast is a great tool that shows academic and athletic role models coming together for a great cause.  An on-demand replay of the webcast is available for viewing at jamespattersonevents.com for anyone interested.  Also, the Mackin-sponsored contest where you can win autographed items from both Patterson and Wade is still open!  Enter the contest here, until May 31st.

Sticking with the hoops theme, a recent book by Twin Cities author John Coy has grabbed my attention.  It is Hoop Genius, and is a great way to introduce children to the history and origin of the game of basketball.  The title refers to Dr. James Naismith, inventor of basketball, and tells how he devised the game that has become a huge phenomenon today.  It turns out that he was a young P.E. teacher who was having trouble engaging a group of boys in games that weren’t boring or that didn’t result in rough play and injury, and came up with a game he called “Basket Ball” to achieve this.

Coy’s story is enhanced by Joe Morse’s illustrations, showing the dress of the late 1800s as well as the mustachioed young men that played the first-ever game of basketball.  A small photo at the end of the book shows that the illustrations are historically accurate…evidently sporting a bushy mustache was the height of fashion for young men of the era!  I was especially interested in the reprint of Dr. Naismith’s original rules of the game, which shows how the game has evolved in the 100-plus years since its inception.  It would make a great compare/contrast activity to do with students, especially those that are basketball fans or players.

I will leave you today with a quote from one of basketball’s all-time greats, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: “I’m not comfortable being preachy, but more people need to start spending as much time in the library as they do on the basketball court.”

RyanBlogger: Ryan H.

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Great Contemporary Books for Horse Lovers

May 6, 2013 · Filed under High School, Intermediate (3-5), Middle School (6-8), Primary (K-2), Uncategorized · Tagged , , ,

Many of us avid readers have other passions as well–knitting, soccer, camping, or cars, for example–and mine is horses. While I don’t know much about car stories, I do know there are lots of great stories about horses, caring for horses, and riding horses. Think of the classics: the Marguerite Henry books (Misty of Chincoteague), the Anna Sewell books (Black Beauty), the Walter Farley books (The Black Stallion)…The great thing for horse lovers is an ever-expanding collection of books to embrace. Whether you’re 5 or 50, there are plenty of stories about horses and their people to keep you interested, including some exciting recent and upcoming titles.

MacadooAs with stories that revolve around other popular pastimes, the best horse books–the ones that horse lovers cherish–are written by authors who know the subject matter. The best stories are accurate and reflect knowledge, humor and sadness, and real experiences and relationships, no matter if they’re written for young children, teens, or adults. Luckily, there are many great books featuring horses. Here are some titles fresh off the presses for horsey-minded readers to enjoy.

Told from the point of view of a large Belgian draft horse, Macadoo of the Maury River is the tale of a colt, born at a large breeding establishment in Alberta and sold at auction to a kindhearted person who saves him from the kill buyer. Macadoo grows from a brave colt into a gentle soul of a horse satisfied with his place in the world. Named after the man who bought him at the auction–because the man’s name is on the halter the colt is given–Macadoo is moved from place to place as the situations of his humans change. He is always treated properly, but his story reveals his sorrow at being torn from his mother’s side and later at losing the boy he has developed a bond with. Macadoo finds himself at a riding stable for children, where he finally comes to terms with his role helping young people gain confidence. This book, to be released in August, is the second installment in Gigi Amateau‘s Horses of the Maury River series. (ISBN 9780763637668. Gr 4-7.)Mystery

Mystery at Black Horse Farm by Jenny Hughes is a high-action whodunit with a little harmless romance thrown in for good measure. Tweens and teens at a summer horse camp practice their jumping, venture out on trails, and even swim in the ocean with their horses. Meanwhile, the protagonists try to figure out who is trying to steal a necklace belonging to the girl whose family owns the property.The mystery thickens to reveal dangerous thieves, a hidden treasure, and a heroine on horseback. Other books in this 2013 series include Fantasy Horse and Model Horse. (ISBN 9781621240037. Gr 4-6.)

In Samphire Song by Jill Hucklesby, fourteen-year-old Jodie finds solace working at a horse stable after her father is Samphirekilled in an airplane accident. When her mother’s financial situation suddenly improves, Jodie finally is able to search for her dream horse. She chooses Samphire, a part-Arabian stallion with some emotional baggage of his own, but the two bond and develop a strong relationship, allowing Jodie to heal and make friends with the other girls at the stable. When Jodie’s younger brother suddenly needs a new kidney, the health costs lead to losing Samphire. Distraught but resigned to abide by her family’s needs, Jodie moves on after his sale, but is determined to one day get him back. A perilous evening in a horse yard with dangerous thugs features Jodie fleeing on her faithful steed, and a satisfying ending leaves the reader cheering for girl and horse. (ISBN 9780807572245. Gr 5-7.)

Jessie Haas‘s Bramble and Maggie books are super for young horse lovers, but they will be eagerly read by other young readers as well. In the first book, Bramble and Maggie: Horse Meets Girl, Bramble is revealed to be an opinionated pony no longer interested in giving lessons at the riding school. Maggie is looking for her first mount and the two find themselves to be a good match. Realistic in characterization and description, as well as in the charming illustrations, the book is a great introduction to how a girl and her first pony get to know one another. In Bramble and Maggie: Give and Take, Maggie learns that in order to get Bramble to cooperate, she must also understand and respond to her pony’s preferences. Little girls who pore over horse care encyclopedias and dream of their own ponies will love these books! (ISBN 9780763662516, 9780763650216. Gr 1-3.)Bramble 2   Bramble 1

For a full list of contemporary books for horse lovers, click here. For even more horse books, click here. Giddyup!

Blogger: Lori C. Lori

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Series Review: Disgusting and Dreadful Science

April 29, 2013 · Filed under Intermediate (3-5), Middle School (6-8), Nonfiction, Science · Tagged , , , , ,

Disgusting and Dreadful Science series:

Ear-Splitting Sounds and Other Vile Noises by Anna Claybourne. 2013. 9780778709251. Gr. 3-6.

Electric Shocks and Other Energy Evils by Anna Claybourne. 2013. 9780778709268. Gr. 3-6.

Glaring Light and Other Eye-Burning Rays by Anna Claybourne. 2013. 9780778709558. Gr. 3-6.

Gut-Wrenching Gravity and Other Fatal Forces by Anna Claybourne. 2013. 9780778709503. Gr. 3-6

We all know that students learn in different ways and at different rates.  Sometimes we need to be tricky in how we get kids interested and invested in learning.  There are a lot of high-interest titles out there for reluctant readers, and here I review one series I have recently come across that is highly interesting and entertaining, and should have kids of all learning styles excited and engaged.

The Disgusting and Dreadful Science series should be especially attractive to boys.  With the popularity of humorous fiction such as Captain Underpants, it is no secret that if you deem any title “disgusting”, boys will want to check it out!

The great thing about this series is that there is a wealth of scientific knowledge “disguised” as fun.  Each two-page layout is on a different area of the main subject.  For example, in Ear-Splitting Sounds, there is the page title of Ear-Splitting Science,  which is an introduction to the decibel scale; the pages below it are filled with fun pictures and fact boxes, as well as an experiment that helps further understanding of the concepts. On this particular topic, there is a decibel meter chart and various comparative sounds.  Would you have guessed that the loudest burp ever (107dB) was almost as loud as a rock concert (115 dB)?  Now you begin to see the creative ways in which science is tied into disgusting fun.  It is not all goofiness, though.  There is also a See for Yourself section that instructs readers to make a paper megaphone and explains how the sound is directionally amplified when the megaphone is used.

The other titles in the series follow a similar formula.  In Electric Shocks a (hopefully Photoshopped) picture of an elephant on a toilet accompanies an infobox about how some zoos collect animal waste in order to recycle it to use its methane gas as fuel to generate electricity.  In Glaring Light, information about the electromagnetic spectrum is presented with factoids about how scorpions glow under ultraviolet light, and how bioluminescence in different animals works. In Gut-Wrenching Gravity, G-force is explained by relating how rollercoasters create them, and show how Air Force experiments in the 1940s and 50s exposed airmen to incredible g-forces that caused broken bones and burst blood vessels!

All of the above examples just scratch the surface; each of the books in the series are filled with hundreds of similar examples, and it is a safe bet that everyone can find something that interests them here.  So, if you are looking for a nonfiction series that kids will be curious about, and will teach them some science along the way, check out Disgusting and Dreadful Science!

Ryan H.

Blogger: Ryan H.

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Series Review: The World in Infographics

April 26, 2013 · Filed under Intermediate (3-5), Nonfiction, Reviews, Science · Tagged , , , ,

  • 71% of the earth’s surface is covered in water.
  • 97.5% of the water on earth is saltwater.
  • 68.7% of freshwater is found in glaciers.

naturalworldThat is all important information—and I could go on listing various percentages—but a list of numbers really doesn’t do much by itself.  What do you want me to know about those numbers?  Where do they fit into what I already know?

It’s often hard to get a sense of the meaning behind the numbers, especially for kids who may not have the context they need to apply the data to the world around them.  Many of the books we share with young people have charts, graphs, and other representations of data in sidebars and call-out boxes to help make sense of some of the data, but what if you made the call-out box the entire spread?  That’s exactly what The World in Infographics series does.  Each spread in these books is designed to look like the graphics we find and share online.

For those who may not have discovered infographics yet, here is a definition from Wikipedia: “Information graphics or infographics are graphic visual representations of information, data or knowledge intended to present complex information quickly and clearly.”  These graphics are perfect for comparing numbers, getting a sense of scale, and making connections.

planetearthThe World in Infographics series uses these strengths to its advantage as it demystifies the numbers of our world.  In Planet Earth, for example, we learn the size of the world’s largest iceberg relative to the island of Jamaica and the 3,963 miles from the surface of the Earth to the center turns into the distance between London and Chicago. Some of these comparisons may work better than others, and some kids may take to this format more than others.  Nonetheless, this is a series to watch.  Planet Earth and The Natural World are available now.  Two more titles will be published in the fall.

These books are good choices for science teachers looking for simple visual explanations of various science topics.  But they are great choices for teachers who want to talk about using data and presenting knowledge.  This series will introduce students to the concept behind infographics and give them an opportunity to look closely at what translates well to this format and what doesn’t.  Whether you are using these books for the content or the presentation, you will find a unique series that will appeal to kids and teachers.

Bibliography:

Planet Earth by Jon Richards. March 2013. 9781926973753. Gr. 3-6

The Natural World by Jon Richards.March 2013. 9781926973746. Gr. 3-6

The Human Body by Jon Richards. October 2013. GR. 3-6

The Human World by Jon Richards. October 2013. Gr. 3-6

MindyBlogger: Mindy R.

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Picture Books in the Classroom

March 28, 2013 · Filed under Biography, History, Intermediate (3-5), Math, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Primary (K-2), Science, Social Studies, Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Picture books are great for enhancing literacy in the elementary grades. They can be read aloud to a group, shared with an individual child, and paged through by the students themselves, taking in everything the pictures add to the text. These new picture books offer up another layer of opportunity: the content of each serves as a starting point for a lesson or unit on a particular area of study in the classroom.

Social Studies

3079449In The Price of Freedom: How One Town Stood Up to Slavery by Judith Bloom Fradin and Dennis Brindell Fradin, illustrated by Eric Velasquez, we learn about John Price, a runaway slave who ended up in Oberlin, Ohio, in 1856. Oberlin was a final stop along the Underground Railroad and was a community of people who felt strongly that slavery was wrong. Opponents of the Fugitive Slave Act, the townspeople rallied to free John Price after he was captured by a slave hunter, risking their lives to pull off a harrowing rescue. John Price vanished from town a few days later, perhaps crossing the border into Canada, but the townspeople who participated in the rescue were jailed for three months. Their determination and spirit would clash with those who wanted to perpetuate slavery, contributing to the hostile sentiments that led to the Civil War. (9780802721662. Gr. 2-4.)

You could use this book as a starting point for teaching about this historic time period, or you could use it in a discussion about injustice and about fighting for what you believe in. Ask students to think about something that is unfair or not right—their concerns could range from school bullies, polluted water, abandoned pets, and homelessness to global news stories about war and poverty. Help them to research issues they are concerned about and to explore ways in which they can make a difference. For ideas, try The Kid’s Guide to Service Projects or The Kid’s Guide to Social Action by Barbara A. Lewis or Cleaning Up the Earth by Precious McKenzie.

3079430Henry and the Cannons: An Extraordinary True Story of the American Revolution by Don Brown tells the story of Henry Knox, an obscure bookseller who was determined to transport much-needed cannons from Fort Ticonderoga in New York to General Washington’s troops outside Boston. After a grueling 50-day winter journey over 300 miles of rough terrain and ice-covered rivers and lakes, Knox and his men delivered 59 cannons to the revolutionary army. Quietly, Americans assembled a formidable looking fortress on a hill overlooking Boston, ultimately scaring the British into retreating. (9781596432666. Gr. 1-3.)

Determination works wonders, and underdogs often succeed by shooting for the moon and then going for it. Have students write down a goal they each have for the next week or month at school. It could be “reading my first chapter book,” “writing and illustrating my very own story,” “running a whole lap on the track,” or anything that a student would have to work hard to achieve. Challenge students to choose goals that are meaningful to them.

3099232The Matchbox Diary by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline, is the story of an Italian immigrant as he relates it to his great-granddaughter. His matchbox diary is a lovely old cigar box filled with small matchboxes, each of which holds a small object that has its own tale. From an olive pit and a macaroni noodle to a fish bone and typesetting letters, the objects come alive as the elderly book-and-antique dealer tells the small girl how he acquired and saved them. (9780763646011. Gr. 1-4.)

This unique way of keeping a diary is a great one for young children. Ask students to think about a small object that reminds them of a recent event—a ticket stub, a bead, a birthday candle, perhaps. Ask them to use their imaginations! Have students bring in their objects in small boxes and over the course of a few days (a few students per day), ask them to share their objects and tell the stories behind them. Encourage interested students to use their objects as a starting point for their own “matchbox diaries.”

Science

3073352Frog Song by Brenda Z. Guiberson, illustrated by Gennady Spirin, is a richly illustrated informational text about frogs from around the world. Fun fonts complement the beautiful paintings, highlighting frog noises such as “sloop-slooop,” “fwish,” and “chirp-chweet!” Interesting information that students will enjoy, especially about frog eggs, tadpoles, and babies, is offered in perfect amounts on each spread. The book ends with a field guide of the frogs, an environmental page titled “Frogs in Trouble,” a bibliography, and a list of websites. (9780805092547. Gr. PS-2.)

Help students explore some of the websites listed in the back of the book. Several of them have audio clips you can play for students to hear the frog sounds described in the book and others as well. You may also have students draw a picture of a frog (you could supply the outline from a website like Frog Life Cycle). You could also have them record a sound to go with their frog.

Math

3151769Millions, Billions, and Trillions: Understanding Big Numbers by David A. Adler, illustrated by Edward Miller is a fun look at what exactly these long strings of digits actually mean. Fun illustrations show concrete examples like the number of granules in a quarter cup of sugar or the amount of time it would take to count to a million. (9780823424030. Gr. 2-4.)

Play estimating and counting games with students. You can use a jar of jelly beans, a bowl of paper clips, a baggie full of Cheerios, a stack of books, a ten-by-ten square-foot area of dandelions, and whatever else you can come up with. First ask students to write down an estimate of how many objects there are, and then have them team up to count. Come back together as a class and discuss the activity. How well did they estimate the number of objects with each of the items? What strategies did they use to estimate? What strategies did they use to count (by tens, for example)?

Picture books often do more than tell a story. Have fun using them to teach, as well!

Blogger: Lori C. Lori

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Three Humorous Graphic Novels for Kids

March 21, 2013 · Filed under Graphic Novel, Humor, Intermediate (3-5), Middle School (6-8), Primary (K-2) · Tagged , , , , , , ,

I mostly read realistic teen fiction, and often these books deal with young people in difficult situations. Frankly, sometimes I need a bit of a break from the heavy stuff. Maybe you do too.  Here are some humorous graphic novels that have crossed my desk recently that just might be the break you need.

benjaminbearBenjamin Bear in Bright Ideas by Philippe Coudray. March 2013. 9781935179221. Gr. PS-1.

Benjamin Bear has lots of ideas. Unfortunately, they are not always good ideas.  Kids will laugh at the antics, but they may also glean some good ideas about cause and effect or creative problem solving in the one-page comics in this book.  French artist Phillippe Coudray has created another winner for emerging readers (or anyone with a silly sense of humor) in this series with Bright Ideas.

Aariolriol: Just a Donkey Like You and Me by Emmanuel Gilbert. February 2013. 9781597073998. Gr. 3-6.

Don’t let the all animal cast in this graphic novel fool you.  It is indeed realistic fiction.  Ariol and his friends have comical mishaps in chapters that feel like short stories.  It is easy to read and highly relatable.  It’s a great choice for the in-between kids who are young enough to enjoy Ariol’s wild imagination and old enough to sympathize when Ariol embarrasses himself in front of his crush.

chickenhareChickenhare by Chris Grine. February 2013. 9780545485081. Gr 6-8.

Looking for something kind of unusual? Meet Chickenhare. He has just been captured by a trapper who intends to sell his unusual captive to an exotic animal collector.  You might be wondering what a  chickenhare actually is.  Well, it’s half chicken, half rabbit, of course.  And he is in quite a situation because this exotic animal collector is actually a twisted taxidermist determined to turn him into home décor.  Chickenhare and a few odd friends are determined to escape and that’s where the adventure begins.  There is plenty of action along with a mix of horror and humor that will have plenty of appeal to readers who like offbeat adventure/comedies.

MindyBlogger: Mindy R.

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Women’s History Month Marches Forward

March 14, 2013 · Filed under Biography, High School, Intermediate (3-5), Middle School (6-8), Nonfiction, Picture Books, Primary (K-2), Social Studies · Tagged , , , , ,

For good reason, March is Women’s History Month. One hundred years ago on March 3, 1913, more than 5,000 suffragists marched in Washington, D.C., underscoring what was called “a national policy of nagging” by those who disapproved of women’s rights. It wasn’t until 1920 that the 19th Amendment became law in the United States, finally allowing women the right to vote. Decades later, the Equal Rights Amendment made its way through the legislature, but it wasn’t ratified by all the states by the 1982 deadline and was never adopted.

More than 50 years before the women’s march on Washington, strong female leaders gathered for the Seneca Falls Convention. The abolitionist movement and the early rumblings of the women’s rights movement in many ways went hand in hand, and strong female voices made their voices heard as the Civil War  loomed. During the war itself, a number of determined young women got involved. Here are some of their stories:

3083852Lincoln and Grace: Why Abraham Lincoln Grew a Beard by Steve Metzger, illustrated by Ann Kronheimer, tells the story of Grace Bedell, a young girl whose admiration for Lincoln and disdain for slavery led her to send the soon-to-be-elected president a letter. Lincoln even responded and the two met briefly while he was on his way to Washington for his inauguration! (9780545484329. Gr 2-5.)

One of the ways women contributed to the Civil War effort was in the field of medicine. Louisa May’s Battle: How the Civil War Led to Little Women by 3079431Kathleen Krull, illustrated by Carlyn Beccia, is the story of Louisa May Alcott’s involvement–first as a part of the Underground Railroad and later as a nurse at the Union Hotel in Washington, D.C. There to witness celebrations in the streets as the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, she was struck by typhoid fever a few weeks later and had to return home, where she went on to write one of the most famous books of all time.  (9780802796684. Gr 2-5.)

3073348Elizabeth Blackwell defied those who told her that women couldn’t be doctors. In Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors? The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell by Tanya Lee Stone, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman, we learn that Geneva Medical School let the students vote on whether or not to allow her to attend and that the boys, figuring it was a joke, voted yes! She went on to graduate at the top of her class in 1849 as well as to gain the respect of her peers and professors. Elizabeth was a key figure in training women as nurses during the Civil War. (9780805090482. Gr K-3.)

Mary Edwards Walker graduated from medical school in 1855. An outspoken campaigner for women, she was also known for shunning the uncomfortable 3115160clothing of the era in favor of…pants! Mary Walker Wears the Pants: The True Story of the Doctor, Reformer and Civil War Hero by Cheryl Harness, illustrated by Carlo Molinari, tells her story. A staunch opponent of slavery, Mary was determined to help during the war and volunteered doing whatever she could to help, treating wounded soldiers while repeatedly requesting to join the army as a surgeon. Finally in 1893, her role became official, and she would later earn a medal of honor for her service. (9780807549902. Gr K-3.)

Other new books of note:

30835683053209316326930735603073557Look Up! The Story of the First Woman Astronomer by Robert Burleigh, illustrated by Raúl Colón. (9781416958192. Gr K-2.)

Buffalo Bird Girl: A Hidatsa Story by S. D. Nelson. (9781419703553. Gr 2-5.)

Bad Girls: Sirens, Jezebels, Murderesses, Thieves & Other Female Villains by Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple, illustrated by Rebecca Guay. (9781580891851. Gr 5-8.)

Women of the Frontier: 16 Tales of Trailblazing Homesteaders, Entrepreneurs, and Rabble-Rousers by Brandon Marie Miller. (9781883052973. Gr 9-12.)

Double Victory: How African American Women Broke Race and Gender Barriers to Help Win World War II by Cheryl Mullenbach. (9781569768082. Gr 9-12.)

LoriBlogger: Lori C.

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World Read-Aloud Day Coming — How About Poetry?

March 4, 2013 · Filed under High School, Intermediate (3-5), Middle School (6-8), Poetry, Primary (K-2), Uncategorized

Wednesday is World Read-Aloud Day. In thinking about books appropriate for reading out loud, I landed on poetry as the one literary form I’d rather listen to than read silently. Poems have rhythm, alliteration, rhyme, and many other sound qualities that make them ripe for a voice full of enthusiasm, enunciation, and emotion. Here are some great poetry books to get your hands on before Wednesday!

2959615Water Sings Blue: Ocean Poems, by Kate Coombs and illustrated by Meilo So, features beautiful strings of words along with soft, rich watercolor paintings, describing everything from tide pools and jellyfish to sharks and shipwrecks. The rich descriptions of the ocean’s creatures and elements not only entertain but also teach the very young about different players in the earth’s largest bodies of water. (9780811872843. 2012. Gr PS-3.)

Shiver Me Timbers! Pirate Poems & Paintings, by Douglas Florian and illustrated by Robert Neubecker, uses rich language and 3034578wave-bouncing pirate dialect to create lively poems about a topic children love. Neubecker’s fun illustrations help bring the poems to life. This poetry picture book isn’t just fun–it’s also an adventure in pirate vocabulary and a great starting point for demonstrating voice in a writing lesson. (9781442413214. 2012. Gr 2-5.)

3206995Indivisible: Poems for Social Justice, edited by Gail Bush & Randy Meyer, is a collection of poems written by a wide variety of well-known poets, from Langston Hughes and Pat Mora to Billy Collins and Joy Harjo. While it addresses the subject of social inequity, the anthology also points out what is just and right, ending with a poem by William Stafford entitled “Being a Person.” The book ends with a Biographical Notes section that provides anecdotal information about each poet (although it does contain a disclaimer that the notes are “certifiably uncertified”). (9781603574174. 2013. Gr 7-adult.)

Other poetry books you may wish to consider:

In the Sea by David Elliott and illustrated by Holly Meade (9780763644987. 2012. Gr PS-2.)

Follow Follow: A Book of Reverso Poems by Marilyn Singer and illustrated by Josée Masse (companion to Mirror, Mirror) (9780803737693. 2013. Gr 2-6.)

Arrow Finds Its Mark: A Book of Found Poems by Georgia Heard and illustrated by Antoine Guillope (9781596436657. 2012. Gr 4-6.)

When Thunder Comes: Poems for Civil Rights Leaders by J. Patrick Lewis (9781452101194. 2013. Gr 4-7.)

Partly Cloudy: Poems of Love and Longing by Gary Soto (9780547577371. 2012. Gr 7-12.) 

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Lori

Blogger: Lori C.

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