How does knowing about literary elements impact understanding a story?
I think it helps to think they contribute greatly to understanding a story. With perspective, you can tell alot about the story depending on the viewpoint, because you are able to construct meaning about the characters and the storyline easier. Reading a story about an ant would be completely different if it was told from the ant's perspective as opposed to a person's perspective. It affects the other literary elements as well.
Time can have also a huge effect on the understanding of a story. A story that flashes back and forth adds depth and gives insight on characters, which makes it easier to understand the story from their viewpoint. The idea that time can be psychological or chronological helps the reader understand other literary elements, like perspective.
Plot is of course important, because the action of the story is what moves it along. You don't want to be reading a book and then think, "Why am I reading this? What is the point of the story?" Things like mood and symbols help the reader understand the author's viewpoint on certain subjects, and help them tie the story together without actually being told the meaning. I think these are very important to evaluate after reading a text, because then you understand the motive in having those things in the story in the first place. Without these, the story has no depth and can be rather shallow. Understanding what these are and what they mean to the reader helps them put the story into context and learn something from it in the end.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Grab the tissues!
Hair For Mama
Written by Kelly Tinkham, Illustrated by Amy Bates
Picture Book ages 6-9
Rating: 4/5
Marcus' mother is sick with cancer. When she loses all of her hair, Marcus sets out on a journey to find her some new hair, eventually cutting off his own and offering it to her!
Opinion: This one's a tearjerker! I actually found it on the website for Notable Trade Books of 2008 for my social studies class and brought it with me. It is sad yet touching, informational yet engaging. Marcus doesn't understand why his Mama is so tired and he wants her to have her hair back, because that will mean she is "better." When he shaves his own head his mother is touched but says she is fine just the way she is. I like that the characters in this book are African-American, because it brings culture to the book and can be more relatable for children of different races. All I have to say is, thank GOD she didn't die. Too sad. My concern is that this is a touchy subject and I don't want to scare kids and make them think their parents are going to get sick with cancer. It might be too complicated for younger kids. Around age 7 kids start to fear natural disasters and losing loved ones, (as opposed to monsters under the bed and animals), so I wouldn't want to "add fuel to the fire," so to speak. When I was little I had fears of things I couldn't control, and cancer for Mommy would definitely be one of those fears.
Curriculum Connection: This would probably go into a discussion on health, even cancer for the upper elementary grades, but it could also be involved in a unit involving families and how they express love for one another. I might read it around Mother's Day before they make a present for their moms and say, "Marcus cutting his hair was his way of telling his mother he loved him. How would you do that for your mom?" You know, make it a little lighter.
Written by Kelly Tinkham, Illustrated by Amy Bates
Picture Book ages 6-9
Rating: 4/5
Marcus' mother is sick with cancer. When she loses all of her hair, Marcus sets out on a journey to find her some new hair, eventually cutting off his own and offering it to her!
Opinion: This one's a tearjerker! I actually found it on the website for Notable Trade Books of 2008 for my social studies class and brought it with me. It is sad yet touching, informational yet engaging. Marcus doesn't understand why his Mama is so tired and he wants her to have her hair back, because that will mean she is "better." When he shaves his own head his mother is touched but says she is fine just the way she is. I like that the characters in this book are African-American, because it brings culture to the book and can be more relatable for children of different races. All I have to say is, thank GOD she didn't die. Too sad. My concern is that this is a touchy subject and I don't want to scare kids and make them think their parents are going to get sick with cancer. It might be too complicated for younger kids. Around age 7 kids start to fear natural disasters and losing loved ones, (as opposed to monsters under the bed and animals), so I wouldn't want to "add fuel to the fire," so to speak. When I was little I had fears of things I couldn't control, and cancer for Mommy would definitely be one of those fears.Curriculum Connection: This would probably go into a discussion on health, even cancer for the upper elementary grades, but it could also be involved in a unit involving families and how they express love for one another. I might read it around Mother's Day before they make a present for their moms and say, "Marcus cutting his hair was his way of telling his mother he loved him. How would you do that for your mom?" You know, make it a little lighter.
"Nobody likes me, everybody hates me, I think I'll eat some worms..."
Diary of a Worm
Written by Doreen Cronin, Illustrated by Harry Bliss
Picture Book ages 5-9
Rating: 4/5
Welcome to the world of a worm, where hopscotch equals being killed, "My brother ate my homework" can be a true statement, and the hokey pokey is done only with your head!
Opinion: The personification of the gross creature we all know as an earthworm is heart-warming and entertaining. It is funny, absurd, and written in just the right way to make you wonder about what an insect's life really is like. In this worm's world they use mushrooms as tables, bottle caps for chairs, and paperclip boxes as beds. Original and innovative, this book will make you appreciate your life a little more!
Curriculum Connection: I also used this book with my 2nd grader at Grantwood, and I prefaced it by asking her what a diary was and if she kept one or knew anyone else that kept one. She really enjoyed the pictures and the storyline of the book and the idea that the worm had to hold the pencil with his tail! How silly! After we read it I told her to pick her favorite insect, which was a butterfly, and write a diary entry of what it would be like to live as a butterfly for a day. This activity is good because it gets kids thinking outside of the box in a critical way and also helps them to be creative. This would also go well in a science unit about insects of any kind.
Written by Doreen Cronin, Illustrated by Harry Bliss
Picture Book ages 5-9
Rating: 4/5
Welcome to the world of a worm, where hopscotch equals being killed, "My brother ate my homework" can be a true statement, and the hokey pokey is done only with your head!
Opinion: The personification of the gross creature we all know as an earthworm is heart-warming and entertaining. It is funny, absurd, and written in just the right way to make you wonder about what an insect's life really is like. In this worm's world they use mushrooms as tables, bottle caps for chairs, and paperclip boxes as beds. Original and innovative, this book will make you appreciate your life a little more!Curriculum Connection: I also used this book with my 2nd grader at Grantwood, and I prefaced it by asking her what a diary was and if she kept one or knew anyone else that kept one. She really enjoyed the pictures and the storyline of the book and the idea that the worm had to hold the pencil with his tail! How silly! After we read it I told her to pick her favorite insect, which was a butterfly, and write a diary entry of what it would be like to live as a butterfly for a day. This activity is good because it gets kids thinking outside of the box in a critical way and also helps them to be creative. This would also go well in a science unit about insects of any kind.
Loose teeth creep me out...
Samantha Loses Her Sweet ToothWritten by Charlie Callahan, Illustrated by Brien Spanier
Picture Book ages 5-10
Rating: 4/5
Samantha has what adults call "a sweet tooth," but when it becomes loose, she has nightmares about losing her love for sweets and fears that she will start to love *gasp* vegetables!
Opinion: Well-written and relatable, because most kids I know love sweets and despise vegetables, only for the label put on them as "yucky!" In preparation for her to lose her sweet tooth she practices eating vegetables and ironically, ends up liking them AND sweets at the end! Very colorful pictures that add energy and zest to the book, while the words "show" how Samantha is afraid of losing her tooth, instead of "tell." The dialogue, both internal and external, adds a lot to the story line.
Curriculum Connection: This could tie into many different lessons. It could tie into a vocabulary lesson, such as a discussion on what a "sweet tooth" is and how there are phrases that people say that don't need to be taken literally, like Samantha did in this case. It could tie into science and nutrition, like naming the vegetables that she tries and why they are good for you. It is a fun enough book where it could also be a warm-up to get the kids going in the morning.
How many animals does it take to mess up a story?
The Surprise Party
Written and Illustrated by Pat Hutchins
Picture book ages 4-8
Rating: 4/5
Rabbit is having a surprise party tomorrow. When he tells Owl his secret, Rabbit's "secret" is spread all over town! The only problem is that a secret can get pretty jumbled after going through multiple sources, which causes confusion for Rabbit and the entire town!
Opinion: Cute book. The drawings are very detailed and are all colored in a way that reminds me of a couch from the 70's. Lime green, yellow, and different shades of orange give the pictures and the book a very vintage vibe. (The book was written in 1969). The owl reminds me of the owl in the commercial with the boy and Tootsie Pops, when the boys asks him "Mr. Owl, how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?" The storyline is also simple and satisfying: a written, animal version of the game we all know from childhood as "telephone." I'm having a surprise party turns into going to the sea, climbing a tree, writing poetry...which makes the story funny and relatable.
Curriculum connection: Before reading the ending, you could close the book and ask the class what they think is going to happen, since everyone is confused about what Rabbit is actually doing. Will they make it to the party? It could also tie into a lesson on communication, and how things we say can get misinterpreted and it's important to talk to each other directly. A classroom activity could be playing the actual game "telephone" or an exercise on listening skills.
Written and Illustrated by Pat Hutchins
Picture book ages 4-8
Rating: 4/5
Rabbit is having a surprise party tomorrow. When he tells Owl his secret, Rabbit's "secret" is spread all over town! The only problem is that a secret can get pretty jumbled after going through multiple sources, which causes confusion for Rabbit and the entire town!
Curriculum connection: Before reading the ending, you could close the book and ask the class what they think is going to happen, since everyone is confused about what Rabbit is actually doing. Will they make it to the party? It could also tie into a lesson on communication, and how things we say can get misinterpreted and it's important to talk to each other directly. A classroom activity could be playing the actual game "telephone" or an exercise on listening skills.
Happy, disappointed, jealous, and everything in between.
The Way I Feel
Written and Illustrated by Janan Cain
Children's Picture Book ages 3-8
Rating: 4/5
A basic list and explanation of some of the emotions we might experience, what they mean, and what they look like to children!
Opinion: I think this book is very put-together, if that makes sense. It has amazing colorful pictures that go perfectly with the words. The pictures are relatable, even "goofy" as my 2nd grader puts it. It is well-written and each emotion is described in an rhyming poem. (Ex): Sometimes I feel so very sad and really don't know why. Instead of playing and having fun, I cry and cry and cry. It would really be useful for primary grades and would be a very helpful book for a parent as well.
Curriculum Connection: I used this with my 2nd grader at Grantwood and she really enjoyed the pictures, even getting hung up on how all the people's shoes in the book were "elf shoes." For the writing activity I said she should pick an emotion from the book and either draw or write what that looks and sounds like to her. It was a pretty easy concept for her to grasp. This would fit into a Pre-K or early elementary lesson very well, including what emotions are, how they can be complicated, and what they look like and sound like to us. It also helped me get to know my student because I learned about what makes her happy and what doesn't, etc. I think it encourages dialogue about feelings and how we need to communicate them instead of acting on them, like most children tend to want to do.
Written and Illustrated by Janan Cain
Children's Picture Book ages 3-8
Rating: 4/5
A basic list and explanation of some of the emotions we might experience, what they mean, and what they look like to children!
Opinion: I think this book is very put-together, if that makes sense. It has amazing colorful pictures that go perfectly with the words. The pictures are relatable, even "goofy" as my 2nd grader puts it. It is well-written and each emotion is described in an rhyming poem. (Ex): Sometimes I feel so very sad and really don't know why. Instead of playing and having fun, I cry and cry and cry. It would really be useful for primary grades and would be a very helpful book for a parent as well.Curriculum Connection: I used this with my 2nd grader at Grantwood and she really enjoyed the pictures, even getting hung up on how all the people's shoes in the book were "elf shoes." For the writing activity I said she should pick an emotion from the book and either draw or write what that looks and sounds like to her. It was a pretty easy concept for her to grasp. This would fit into a Pre-K or early elementary lesson very well, including what emotions are, how they can be complicated, and what they look like and sound like to us. It also helped me get to know my student because I learned about what makes her happy and what doesn't, etc. I think it encourages dialogue about feelings and how we need to communicate them instead of acting on them, like most children tend to want to do.
Monday, September 13, 2010
H.A. Rey and the world of Curious George
From what I have gathered from learning and reading about H.A. Rey, I think he seemed like a fun, caring man that I wish was still making books today!
Here is a little splice of biographical info that I put on my brochure:
Hans Augusto Rey was born in 1898 in Hamburg, Germany. He grew up near the famous Hagenbeck Zoo where he cultivated a passion for animals. Hans married Margret Rey, his wife and co-author of many of his books in 1935. The couple moved to Paris and Hans wrote his first children’s book called Raffy and the Nine Monkeys. Out of this, came the character we all love and know to be Curious George! Shortly after starting the Curious George series, Hans and Margret were forced out of Germany due to the Nazi regime (Hans and Margret were both Jewish). They took off with nothing but some food, warm clothing, and manuscripts of the adventures of Curious George. They moved to Brazil and later New York City, where they began their careers as children’s book authors. Today these books have sold over 25 million copies, and have been made into board books, books for toddlers, and even have bilingual versions.
He has a really cool story, actually. It was very inspiring and made me more interested in the Curious George books, which I absolutely adored as a child.
Here's a link to the website: Curious About George?
Another fun website from PBS kids: PBS Kids: Curious George
I think that H.A. Rey's books are great, especially because they do come in a series, so if a child gets into them it will be easy to keep bringing them new ones. They are well written and have awesome, simple pictures.
They can connect to curriculum very easily, mainly because George gets into so many adventures that curious kids can get into these days! The book list is enormous. Curious George's First Day of School, Curious George Rides a Bike, Curious George Goes to the Hospital...Any of his adventures would do. We could bring it into a unit on monkeys, or even a unit on getting into trouble and obeying parents and teachers alike!
Hans Augusto Rey was born in 1898 in Hamburg, Germany. He grew up near the famous Hagenbeck Zoo where he cultivated a passion for animals. Hans married Margret Rey, his wife and co-author of many of his books in 1935. The couple moved to Paris and Hans wrote his first children’s book called Raffy and the Nine Monkeys. Out of this, came the character we all love and know to be Curious George! Shortly after starting the Curious George series, Hans and Margret were forced out of Germany due to the Nazi regime (Hans and Margret were both Jewish). They took off with nothing but some food, warm clothing, and manuscripts of the adventures of Curious George. They moved to Brazil and later New York City, where they began their careers as children’s book authors. Today these books have sold over 25 million copies, and have been made into board books, books for toddlers, and even have bilingual versions.
He has a really cool story, actually. It was very inspiring and made me more interested in the Curious George books, which I absolutely adored as a child.
Here's a link to the website: Curious About George?
Another fun website from PBS kids: PBS Kids: Curious George
I think that H.A. Rey's books are great, especially because they do come in a series, so if a child gets into them it will be easy to keep bringing them new ones. They are well written and have awesome, simple pictures.
They can connect to curriculum very easily, mainly because George gets into so many adventures that curious kids can get into these days! The book list is enormous. Curious George's First Day of School, Curious George Rides a Bike, Curious George Goes to the Hospital...Any of his adventures would do. We could bring it into a unit on monkeys, or even a unit on getting into trouble and obeying parents and teachers alike!
It's raining trees!
If A Tree Falls at Lunch Period
Written by Gennifer Choldenko
Children's Novel Grades 4-8
Rating: 4/5
Kristen and Walker ("Walk") are experiencing a new school year in junior high through their own eyes, each struggling with their own personal demons and internal battles.
Opinion: Pretty good book. Has spots of humor that I think junior high kids will really appreciate, or at least understand. The story alternates in chapters from one of two character's points of view: One, Kristen, whose parents are constantly fighting and whose best friend won't talk to her anymore because she gained 30 pounds over the summer, and Walk, the "only black kid in the entire school." I can appreciate each child's struggle to see where they fit in in the world. Middle school was a scary time! Hearing Kristen talk about the cliques and her best friend ignoring her brought back memories of middle school mean girls. Its hard to remember that this is a children's novel and not a novel I would read, because the language is a bit simple and juvenile. The differing perspectives switches it up and keeps the plot moving.
Curriculum connection: Obviously this is for older kids, but I think its very good to fit into a lesson about kindness and respect, even on bullying in the classroom. I think it can be focused around a good community building activity. In the book Walk struggles with being one of the only African Americans at his school, which could be very beneficial to address. This could lead into a discussion on what racism is, how it affects others, or maybe go into a history lesson about the origins of racism and what it means to respect people from all different backgrounds. Discussions would probably be easy because it is a very relatable book, even if they don't struggle with the same exact problems.
Written by Gennifer Choldenko
Children's Novel Grades 4-8
Rating: 4/5
Kristen and Walker ("Walk") are experiencing a new school year in junior high through their own eyes, each struggling with their own personal demons and internal battles.Opinion: Pretty good book. Has spots of humor that I think junior high kids will really appreciate, or at least understand. The story alternates in chapters from one of two character's points of view: One, Kristen, whose parents are constantly fighting and whose best friend won't talk to her anymore because she gained 30 pounds over the summer, and Walk, the "only black kid in the entire school." I can appreciate each child's struggle to see where they fit in in the world. Middle school was a scary time! Hearing Kristen talk about the cliques and her best friend ignoring her brought back memories of middle school mean girls. Its hard to remember that this is a children's novel and not a novel I would read, because the language is a bit simple and juvenile. The differing perspectives switches it up and keeps the plot moving.
Curriculum connection: Obviously this is for older kids, but I think its very good to fit into a lesson about kindness and respect, even on bullying in the classroom. I think it can be focused around a good community building activity. In the book Walk struggles with being one of the only African Americans at his school, which could be very beneficial to address. This could lead into a discussion on what racism is, how it affects others, or maybe go into a history lesson about the origins of racism and what it means to respect people from all different backgrounds. Discussions would probably be easy because it is a very relatable book, even if they don't struggle with the same exact problems.
Another turtle book!
The Dancing Turtle: A Folktale From Brazil
Written by Pleasant DeSpain, Illustrated by David Boston
Picture book ages 5-9
Rating: 4/5
A recreated folktale about a clever (and talented!) turtle who tricks his captor in order to avoid becoming turtle soup!
Opinion: This overall is an enjoyable book. The pictures are awesome- realistic and colorful, depicting the tropical rain forests of Brazil. The text is printed right on the picture in a smaller font, which suggests that the picture is what's most important in the book. I would have to agree. I find it interesting that the turtle is drawn with much detail and color, but the Brazilian children who let him escape are not. Tactfully done. The idea is cute, and the little dancing turtle make a very lovable character. The fact that it is an actual folktale gives it a little more history.
Curriculum Connection: This would be great to do in a Multicultural unit for social studies if the children were learning about different countries such as Brazil. It would fit into a geography lesson as well. I could also take it a different route and discuss different folktales, use this in a language arts lesson about how a story can be told many different ways, or even how folktales fit in to some people's cultures. Or, if I wanted to go the obvious route, use it in a unit about turtles.
Written by Pleasant DeSpain, Illustrated by David Boston
Picture book ages 5-9
Rating: 4/5
A recreated folktale about a clever (and talented!) turtle who tricks his captor in order to avoid becoming turtle soup!Opinion: This overall is an enjoyable book. The pictures are awesome- realistic and colorful, depicting the tropical rain forests of Brazil. The text is printed right on the picture in a smaller font, which suggests that the picture is what's most important in the book. I would have to agree. I find it interesting that the turtle is drawn with much detail and color, but the Brazilian children who let him escape are not. Tactfully done. The idea is cute, and the little dancing turtle make a very lovable character. The fact that it is an actual folktale gives it a little more history.
Curriculum Connection: This would be great to do in a Multicultural unit for social studies if the children were learning about different countries such as Brazil. It would fit into a geography lesson as well. I could also take it a different route and discuss different folktales, use this in a language arts lesson about how a story can be told many different ways, or even how folktales fit in to some people's cultures. Or, if I wanted to go the obvious route, use it in a unit about turtles.
Friday, September 10, 2010
...A time to kill?
To Every Thing There is A Season
By: Leo & Diane Dillon
Picture book ages 9-12
Rating: 3/5
Summary: An inspirational book using Multicultural drawings from around the world to give the basic idea that there is a time for everything, and that it is just part of life!
Opinion: First of all, let me just say that the illustrations in this book are amazing. Seriously. In the back it gives a summary of the drawings from every page, which are from a different part of the world. They mostly depict families or life-altering events, from Ireland to Egypt to Japan and to Europe. Every page is different and can teach children a ton about different countries and their customs. The pictures are sort of mural-like and were created in many different techniques: ink, acrylic paint, watercolor, etc. The only problem for me is that the words are taken from the book of Ecclesiastes, which has a religious connotation to it that I would probably not like to delve into. The idea of the book is fabulous, "to every thing there is a season" but some of the words shock me. The word heaven is used, followed by, "a time to kill, and a time to heal" and the picture is a bit disturbing, primal almost. I think its a mature topic, especially for a picture book. Its good to talk about things like war, death, etc. if need be but I'm not sure I would go about it this way. Maybe I need to get over myself and tackle these types of issues, I don't know. There are also some intricate and/or religious words that even I don't know the meaning of, let alone a 2nd or 3rd grader.
Curriculum connection: If I were solely going off of the pictures, this book is awesome. It could be done in a social studies class, a multicultural unit, a time to educate them on art from around the world, even. The theme of the book is a good one, which suggests that there is a time for everything good and bad, so I could have a discussion on that as well. If I were in the mood to tackle the issue of religion, I would definitely take the time to explain what the book of Ecclesiastes is and maybe talk about spirituality, but that is just getting a little too controversial for me!
By: Leo & Diane Dillon
Picture book ages 9-12
Rating: 3/5
Summary: An inspirational book using Multicultural drawings from around the world to give the basic idea that there is a time for everything, and that it is just part of life!
Opinion: First of all, let me just say that the illustrations in this book are amazing. Seriously. In the back it gives a summary of the drawings from every page, which are from a different part of the world. They mostly depict families or life-altering events, from Ireland to Egypt to Japan and to Europe. Every page is different and can teach children a ton about different countries and their customs. The pictures are sort of mural-like and were created in many different techniques: ink, acrylic paint, watercolor, etc. The only problem for me is that the words are taken from the book of Ecclesiastes, which has a religious connotation to it that I would probably not like to delve into. The idea of the book is fabulous, "to every thing there is a season" but some of the words shock me. The word heaven is used, followed by, "a time to kill, and a time to heal" and the picture is a bit disturbing, primal almost. I think its a mature topic, especially for a picture book. Its good to talk about things like war, death, etc. if need be but I'm not sure I would go about it this way. Maybe I need to get over myself and tackle these types of issues, I don't know. There are also some intricate and/or religious words that even I don't know the meaning of, let alone a 2nd or 3rd grader.Curriculum connection: If I were solely going off of the pictures, this book is awesome. It could be done in a social studies class, a multicultural unit, a time to educate them on art from around the world, even. The theme of the book is a good one, which suggests that there is a time for everything good and bad, so I could have a discussion on that as well. If I were in the mood to tackle the issue of religion, I would definitely take the time to explain what the book of Ecclesiastes is and maybe talk about spirituality, but that is just getting a little too controversial for me!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Gruffalo = Goat + Buffalo?
The Gruffalo
Written by Julia Donaldson, Illustrated by Axel Scheffler
Picture book ages 4-8
Rating: 5/5
A clever mouse escapes being eaten by all the forest animals by inventing the tale of the "gruffalo." When the mouse ironically meets this beast, he tricks the gruffalo himself and is free from the jaws of death.
Opinion: Very entertaining book. Not hard on the ears, with rhyming and repetition at just the right places. Mouse meets predator, predator attempts to lure mouse, mouse insists he's eating lunch with a made up character called the gruffalo. Mouse meets gruffalo. The plot is suspenseful and fresh, with a satisfying ending. The pictures are also very colorful and intriguing; Some pages have a full picture, and some are just smaller ones, which is a nice alteration. Very well-written, nice rhythm, and the irony is pleasing and humorous.
Curriculum connection: I actually read this with my second grader at Grantwood, and she really enjoyed it. She was very intrigued by what was going to happen next- her face was almost glued to the page. After each time the mouse tricked a forest animal, she'd say "he's lying!" Though she could guess what would happen with each animal, she was very surprised that the gruffalo actually existed. This could fit into a lesson about mythical creatures, or I could have the kids make up their own animal and draw it and share it with the class. It would be a good warm-up and would stimulate their imagination. The possibilities are endless.
Written by Julia Donaldson, Illustrated by Axel Scheffler
Picture book ages 4-8
Rating: 5/5
A clever mouse escapes being eaten by all the forest animals by inventing the tale of the "gruffalo." When the mouse ironically meets this beast, he tricks the gruffalo himself and is free from the jaws of death.
Opinion: Very entertaining book. Not hard on the ears, with rhyming and repetition at just the right places. Mouse meets predator, predator attempts to lure mouse, mouse insists he's eating lunch with a made up character called the gruffalo. Mouse meets gruffalo. The plot is suspenseful and fresh, with a satisfying ending. The pictures are also very colorful and intriguing; Some pages have a full picture, and some are just smaller ones, which is a nice alteration. Very well-written, nice rhythm, and the irony is pleasing and humorous.Curriculum connection: I actually read this with my second grader at Grantwood, and she really enjoyed it. She was very intrigued by what was going to happen next- her face was almost glued to the page. After each time the mouse tricked a forest animal, she'd say "he's lying!" Though she could guess what would happen with each animal, she was very surprised that the gruffalo actually existed. This could fit into a lesson about mythical creatures, or I could have the kids make up their own animal and draw it and share it with the class. It would be a good warm-up and would stimulate their imagination. The possibilities are endless.
How turtles came to be.
Written by Nicola Davies, Illustrated by Jane Chapman
Picture book ages 7-11
Rating: 4/5
Davies and Chapman paint a picture of the life of a Loggerhead turtle, from conception to life and death!
Opinion: I liked the book. It was very informational but not in an overly dry way. The vocabulary was pretty rich so I wouldn't suggest it for very young children, but it was written in a way that is sonically pleasing and flows pretty well. The illustrations are realistic but still catch one's attention. Every other page or so there is smaller, wavier print that has a fact about turtles which ties into the flow of the story. I actually learned a lot of unique things about turtles through reading the book! The idea that it is specific to one species of turtles (Loggerheads) makes the topic more focused and interesting.
Curriculum Connection: This would be a great book to read if we had a unit on turtles, sea creatures, or animals of the sort. It could introduce students to the kinds of facts and ideas I might be looking for in a report or a project. It could even lead into a discussion on the circle of life: animals are born, some die and some don't, and soon enough they have their own babies and the cycle continues. Because the book is full of unique vocabulary I could use it for a language arts unit and have them look up the definitions to the words and use them in their own way: (Ex): "pinprick" "squidgy" "wriggle" "skitter", etc.
Kindergarten is awesome.
Kindergarten ROCKS!
Opinion: This book in my opinion is fun-loving and cute without being too corny. The illustrations are purposefully simple and looks like they have been colored in with crayon, although they are definitely not juvenile. I like that it is realistic in terms of the little boy, Dex, being nervous about going away to school for the first time, but trying to pretend that he is not nervous to look cool in front on his big sister. His personification of his stuffed dog, Rufus, is well done in that it "shows" the reader that he is nervous with dialogue and behavior, instead of just saying "Dexter was nervous." An example of this is when Dexter says, "My dog Rufus is an eensy teensy bit scared about kindergarten." My concern is that the language can be condescending at times, most likely because it is for a lower age group.
Written and Illustrated by Katie Davis
Picture book ages 4-6
Rating: 3.5/5
Dexter Duncan is very nervous for his first day of kindergarten, and uses his stuffed animal Rufus to express his feelings about it. His sister Jessica convinces him that kindergarten is rather fun, in fact, it rocks!
Opinion: This book in my opinion is fun-loving and cute without being too corny. The illustrations are purposefully simple and looks like they have been colored in with crayon, although they are definitely not juvenile. I like that it is realistic in terms of the little boy, Dex, being nervous about going away to school for the first time, but trying to pretend that he is not nervous to look cool in front on his big sister. His personification of his stuffed dog, Rufus, is well done in that it "shows" the reader that he is nervous with dialogue and behavior, instead of just saying "Dexter was nervous." An example of this is when Dexter says, "My dog Rufus is an eensy teensy bit scared about kindergarten." My concern is that the language can be condescending at times, most likely because it is for a lower age group.Curriculum Connection: I picked this book out in the first place because I am interested in teaching primary grades more than the upper grades. I think this can be a good book specifically for kindergartners, maybe to read even on the first day of class as an introduction. It can show kids that it is normal to be nervous about coming to school for the first time and can create an atmosphere to discuss these healthy fears that children have. It is also relatable in that it has sibling interaction throughout the book; This can go into a conversation about siblings or family and become a get-to-know the students portion of the lesson. If I did use this with a higher age group, I might have them write down a memory from kindergarten and ask if they had the same fears that Dexter did. I might plan a lesson around "being a friend" and how to help a kindergartner around school if they look lost, which could help build a sense of community and respect.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)