Archive for Primary (K-2)

Text Sets in the Elementary Classroom

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

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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Character Ed & Picture Books

May 13, 2013 · Filed under Picture Books, Primary (K-2) · Tagged , , , , , , ,

Many picture books can be used to teach character education, and here are some recent books to teach having a positive attitude, courage, friendship, and self-esteem.

RainRain! by Linda Ashman, ill. by Christian Robinson. 9780547733951. 2013. Gr PK-2.

A grouchy old man and an enthusiastic young boy each make their way to the Rain or Shine café, passing along their moods as they go.  Everyone who meets up with the grumpy guy walks away with a scowl on their faces, whereas those who pass the joyful little boy end up smiling and cheerful.  But whose attitude will rub off on the other when they bump into each other in the café?  This Japanese proverb gives a hint: One who smiles rather than rages is always the stronger.

The DarkThe Dark by Lemony Snicket, ill by Jon Klassen. 9780316187480. 2013. Gr PK-2.

Most kids—and adults!—are afraid of something, and Laszlo is no exception.  He is afraid of the dark that lives at his house—in the closet, behind the shower curtain, and mostly in the basement.  One night, Laszlo’s nightlight burns out, and the dark comes to visit him in his room.  The dark tells Laszlo to follow—into the hall, down the stairs, into the basement.  And in the far corner of the basement, the dark tells Laszlo to open the bottom drawer of an old dresser, where Laszlo finds….a new nightlight bulb.  This wonderful book about facing your fears is from the powerhouse talents of Lemony Snicket and Jon Klassen.

Grumpy GoatGrumpy Goat by Brett Hellquist. 9780061139536. 2013. Gr PK-2.

Sunny Acres was the friendliest farm in the county—the animals were friends and loved to play together.  Then… Grumpy Goat arrived.  He didn’t want to be friends and chased away anyone who wanted to play.  Finally, after crashing his way through the fence, he wandered to the top of the hill and saw—a dandelion! As he admires the beauty of the flower, the other animals wander closer, and soon all are friends until…one day, Grumpy Goat notices his flower is white, not yellow, and when the wind blows, all the white puffs away.  Will Grumpy Goat become…grumpy again?  This lovely read-aloud shows that friends can help you through good times and bad.

When No One Is WatchingWhen No One Is Watching by Eileen Spinelli, ill. by David A. Johnson. 9780802853035. 2013. Gr K-2.

Shyness can be disabling, keeping a person from doing something he or she might normally like to do.  In Spinelli’s picture book, a little girl loves to dance and leap and spin…when she is alone, but when everyone’s watching, she hides.  She loves to cheer and dunk the ball through the hoop with a whoop…when she plays by herself.  When everyone’s watching, she only passes the ball to a teammate.  But she has a friend—a shy friend—and when they are together, they don’t care who’s watching at all.  This picture book treats a painful feeling with respect and compassion.

TraceyBlogger : Tracey L.

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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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Telling Family Histories in Picture Books

May 2, 2013 · Filed under Picture Books, Primary (K-2), Social Studies · Tagged , , , , , ,

Everyone has their favorite tales of family histories and traditions, and one of mine is about something that we always did before opening presents on Christmas Eve.

Like most kids, my sisters and I were very excited to open our presents.  We usually did it after dinner, and after the dishes were done, and after Dad finished his bath.  And then—we had to drive to town and look at the Christmas lights.  Our town of Baldwin, Wisconsin, wasn’t very big, but I swear we saw every light that was up.  The longer Dad drove, the more excited we would get.   And every year, just as we thought we had seen them all, Dad would say, “I don’t think we’ve been here yet!” and turn down another street.  My sisters and I would roll our eyes and groan inwardly.  I really don’t remember much of what I got for Christmas as a kid, but I do remember the anticipation!

Each of these picture books tells about a family’s history and can be used to inspire students to find out about the lives of their own parents and grandparents.

Red Kite, Blue KiteRed Kite, Blue Kite by Ji-Li Jiang. 9781423127536. 2013. Gr 1-3.

This book is inspired by the friend of the author, whose family lived in China during the Cultural Revolution.  A little boy and his father love to fly kites together in the city.  When his father is sent to a labor camp, the boy is sent to a nearby village to live with a farmer.  At first his father comes to visit every weekend, but one day he sadly says he will not be able to come for a while.  But—they can still “talk” to each other with their kites:  the boy will fly his red kite every morning, and his father will fly a blue kite every evening.  They will see the kites and know they are thinking of each other.  Bad times are ahead, and the father is sent farther away.  But the boy continues to fly both kites every day.  The themes of family, Chinese history, and world cultures make this a versatile picture book.

Building Our HouseBuilding Our House by Jonathan Bean. 9780374380236. 2013. Gr PK-2.

A little girl and her family leave their old home in the city to build a new house in the country.  While the parents are building the house from scratch—most of it by themselves—the family will be living in a small trailer onsite.  The little girl tells the story of the process as it starts with reading the blueprints, having experts hook up water and electricity, and setting up the foundation.   Readers will be fascinated by the trucks and tools used at the construction site.   The house slowly changes as the seasons pass—and the mom slowly changes, too!  By the time the baby is born, the house is ready.  The book is based on the real-life experience of the author’s parents, told from his older sister’s point of view.

3099232The Matchbox Diary by Paul Fleischman. 9780763646011. 2013. Gr 1-4.

A young girl visits her great-grandfather for the first time, and to break the ice he asks her to pick anything in his room full of collections and he will tell her a story about it.  She brings to him a cigar box full of small matchboxes.  In each matchbox is a small item that the old man had saved from his childhood in Italy, his family’s immigration to the United States, and his life in America.  This was his diary, since no one in his family knew how to read and write.  On her way home, the five-year-old starts her own unwritten diary.  This book is great to use in talking about family histories and can inspire kids to start their own diaries—with or without words.

I tried to continue the Christmas light tradition when I became a mom, but my boys didn’t keep their groans and impatience to themselves.  Maybe when they’re older, they will tell me how much they appreciated it.  Maybe.

I’m not counting on it.

TraceyBlogger : Tracey L.

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Get Up and Dance!

April 18, 2013 · Filed under Picture Books, Primary (K-2), Reviews · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It’s been over two years since I started out the Mackin Books in Bloom blog with a post about ballet picture books, called “Dance, Dance, Dance!”  Here are some more recent picture books about ballerinas, including a few additions to series that I mentioned in the original posting.

Ballerina SwanBallerina Swan by Allegra Kent, illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully. 9780823423736. 2012. Gr PK-2.

From her pond, Sophie could see the dance students in Madam Myrtle’s Dance Studio, and she was intrigued.  She tried to watch through the window, but Madam Myrtle chased her away.  She peeked in from the corner for a few days, but that wasn’t enough—she just had to dance herself.  Despite obstacles, she did her best, and when the dance instructors announced that they would be trying out for the end-of-the-year performance of Swan Lake,  Sophie hopes that she will get a part.  But when the list goes up, she can’t find her name.  Has all her hard work been for nothing?

Vampirina BallerinaVampirina Ballerina by Anne Marie Pace, illustrated by LeUyen Pham. 9781423157533. 2012. Gr PK-1.

Pace’s picture book is written as encouragement to a young ballerina.  Don’t worry; don’t be dismayed; mistakes are OK, just do your best—because “the road to ballerinadom can be bumpy.”   The illustrations show, however, that this ballerina wannabe is not your typical dancing student.  She can take classes only in the evening, her fangs frighten the other students, and when she makes mistakes, she tends to turn into a bat.  But the advice is the same no matter if you are human or vampire:  Practice!  Practice!  Practice!

Flora and the FlamingoFlora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle. 9781452110066. 2013. Gr PK-2.

I love words—big words, weird words, old words—so it always surprises me how much I like wordless books.  Flora and the Flamingo is no exception.  These two ballerinas, a little girl and tall bird, are new dancing partners; neither is happy with the situation, and their body language and facial expressions show it.  But as they begin to dance together, even their tumbles help them develop into graceful and gracious partners.  This book has large flaps on several pages, and checking to see what is underneath is vital to the story.  I usually do not suggest lift-the flap books to libraries, but this one is delightful and clever, and I heartily recommend it.

Series additions to books I recommended in my first post:

Miss Lina’s Ballerinas and the Prince by Grace Maccarone, illustrated by Christine Davenier. 9780312649630. 2011. PK-1

Miss Lina’s Ballerinas and the Wicked Wish by Grace Maccarone, illustrated by Christine Davenier. 9781250005809. 2012. PK-1

Tallulah’s Solo by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger. 9780547330044. 2012. PK-2.

Tallulah’s Toe Shoes by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger. 9780547482231. 2013. PK-2.

Traceylogger : Tracey L.

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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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Book Review: Rabbit & Robot: The Sleepover

March 7, 2013 · Filed under Easy Readers, Fiction, Humor, Primary (K-2), Reviews · Tagged , , ,

rabbitandrobotRabbit & Robot: The Sleepover by Cece Bell.  September 2012. 9780763654757. Gr. 1-3

Rabbit is a planner.  His friend Robot is visiting for a sleepover, and Rabbit has their evening carefully planned out.  He is very excited for everything to go perfectly.

First on his list is making pizza, but it turns out that Robot likes nuts and bolts on his pizza rather than carrots and lettuce.  No problem!  Robot just takes apart Rabbit’s table to get what he needs for his pizza. But then where will they eat?!  Robot has an answer for that, too.  He spreads a blanket on the floor for a picnic.  Lovely.

As the two friends try to follow Rabbit’s list, something always goes wrong.  They can’t find the remote when it’s time to watch TV.  Robot wants to play Old Maid rather than Go Fish.   Then Robot’s batteries run out, and Rabbit has to figure out a solution.  The story is full of humor, and it has an old-fashioned charm.

This is a good choice for early chapter book readers looking for a funny story about mismatched friends, but the mom in me loved  that the book modeled problem solving and positivity for my 5-year-old.  I recently read Paul Tough’s book How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character, and I couldn’t help but notice the connection between Rabbit and Robot’s interactions and the skills that Tough talks about in his book.  Maybe you’ll see this book as a story about resilience and optimism (as I saw it) or maybe you’ll see it as about two friends dealing with silly situations (as my daughter saw it); either way, it’s a great choice for new chapter book readers.

If you’re interested in character ed, there are a few more suggestions in this post.

MindyBlogger: Mindy R.

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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

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