Picture the scene... I'm into my very lofty reading goals for the summer. I'm racing through some great books. I'm half way through Eric Walters' book, 'Alexandria of Africa' and I LEFT the book at the neighbourhood pool!!! Argh! So frustrating. And it's a library book. Oops! Good thing I'm the librarian. I need to practice what I preach.
So I will start a post about this book and have to finish it when I locate the missing copy.
I've been wanting to read this book for a while. It is popular in the library. I try to read the unpopular books in order to broaden horizons of my students; but decided to see if this one was as good as the preteen readers proclaim.
I have to say Walters seems to have a definite theme wherein teens that are off the rails get payback through some very extreme punishments. It can be quite satisfying. Alexandria is another tough teen who is spoiled and has never had to account for her behaviour. She is given an opportunity to serve 'time' in Africa, working for a charity. Another Walters theme is novels which center around African communities struggling with lack of resources needed to provide the basic necessities. Teens learning lessons in a different, eye opening environment is not only satisfying but educational for Walters audience. We should be very thankful for these life lessons!
'Alexandria of Africa' teaches some great lessons. Where I am currently, she has just visited the school which lacks many western touches, but makes up for this in the spirit of its students. Literally, the middle of the book and our protagonist is starting to show signs of humanity!
Stay tuned for an update of the status of my lost library book and Alexandria's adventures.
5 hours later: Update!!! Book found! phew!
Finished this evening and it was a predictable ending. It was satisfying to know that Alexandria learned that the excess that she enjoys at home is not even close to the norm in other parts of the world. All people, young and old should have a similar experience. It is so hard to teach gratitude on a daily basis when we do have so much and we are so lucky in many ways.
Friday, July 8, 2016
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
With Love, Little Red Hen - Alma Flor Ada
Layers!
This is a book for adults as much as children. Kids will love it as it gives a different look at some classic storybook characters. Adults, however, will appreciate the endless jokes and layer upon layer of meaning.
Too much for a single sit down read aloud, this would be a book that I would recommend to a teacher that is doing a classic fairy tale unit. Characters such as Goldilocks, The Little Red Hen, The 3 Little Pigs, The Big Bad Wolf are all highlighted in this book in the form of letters back and forth between the characters. It is a great way to discuss point of view; there is more than one way to look at a situation. This book is a lot of fun!
Apart from pure enjoyment and an extension of classic fairy tales, this is also a great opportunity for readers to connect to their previous experience with these characters. You could also discuss how you write a friendly letter. The author's effective use of voice is another topic that you could introduce to young writers through these humourous letters.
This is a book for adults as much as children. Kids will love it as it gives a different look at some classic storybook characters. Adults, however, will appreciate the endless jokes and layer upon layer of meaning.
Too much for a single sit down read aloud, this would be a book that I would recommend to a teacher that is doing a classic fairy tale unit. Characters such as Goldilocks, The Little Red Hen, The 3 Little Pigs, The Big Bad Wolf are all highlighted in this book in the form of letters back and forth between the characters. It is a great way to discuss point of view; there is more than one way to look at a situation. This book is a lot of fun!
Apart from pure enjoyment and an extension of classic fairy tales, this is also a great opportunity for readers to connect to their previous experience with these characters. You could also discuss how you write a friendly letter. The author's effective use of voice is another topic that you could introduce to young writers through these humourous letters.
The Keeping Quilt - Patricia Polacco
Along with a recent obsession with books about writing, I seem to be also thinking a lot about Grade 2 Social Studies (Ontario Curriculum). When I'm planning, shopping for books and thinking about how I can assist teachers, I often think of a topic and/or grade grouping. Maybe because my daughter talked a lot this year about what they were doing in Grade 2, I seem to have focused a lot of my attention lately to Global Communities and Traditions.
Abby this year had to research her family and discuss traditions that we recognize as a family. 'The Keeping Quilt' is a lovely story to read aloud and can be a great way to introduce traditions to this age level. Polacco often writes from her experiences. Topics and questions that can be asked after reading this story are:
What is your family story?
Where does your family come from?
Have any recent family members had to immigrate to a new country?
What traditions does your family have?
Students can discuss and perhaps share traditions or heirlooms that have been passed down from generation to generation. The activities shared in my post about 'An A From Miss Keller' would be great to do in conjunction with these traditions activities.
Kids love to talk about their families and love to share things that their families celebrate. Another great activity at this age is to make a family tree. It could be as simple as immediate family or as complex as going back many generations.
Abby this year had to research her family and discuss traditions that we recognize as a family. 'The Keeping Quilt' is a lovely story to read aloud and can be a great way to introduce traditions to this age level. Polacco often writes from her experiences. Topics and questions that can be asked after reading this story are:
What is your family story?
Where does your family come from?
Have any recent family members had to immigrate to a new country?
What traditions does your family have?
Students can discuss and perhaps share traditions or heirlooms that have been passed down from generation to generation. The activities shared in my post about 'An A From Miss Keller' would be great to do in conjunction with these traditions activities.
Kids love to talk about their families and love to share things that their families celebrate. Another great activity at this age is to make a family tree. It could be as simple as immediate family or as complex as going back many generations.
Strong to the Hoop - John Coy
The reason that I bought this book was my son. He is a basketball player in a hockey community. So I am continually on the lookout for inspiring basketball stories.I'm also obsessed with him becoming a reader (it will happen).
This one is interesting because it is a story about a young kid who gets the opportunity to play street ball with the older kids. He is given a chance to prove himself. The setting is urban and the artwork is wonderfully realistic.
I go back to writing however! This is an excellent example of describing in great detail a single moment.
Get your students to highlight a moment in their life - real or imaginary. How does it feel, sound, smell, taste? What dialogue accompanies this moment? What a great opportunity to write your feelings!
This one is interesting because it is a story about a young kid who gets the opportunity to play street ball with the older kids. He is given a chance to prove himself. The setting is urban and the artwork is wonderfully realistic.
I go back to writing however! This is an excellent example of describing in great detail a single moment.
Get your students to highlight a moment in their life - real or imaginary. How does it feel, sound, smell, taste? What dialogue accompanies this moment? What a great opportunity to write your feelings!
Monday, July 4, 2016
An A From Miss Keller - Patricia Polacco
Someone reading these blog posts might think I'm a wee bit obsessed with the writing process. I'm not! Perhaps it is the authors we should be looking at for answers. Perhaps so inspired, authors feel they need to inspire a new generation of writers?
Patricia Polacco - I've heard her speak and it was memorable, as are her stories. She writes what she knows and what she has experienced. This is the golden rule of writers! Don't try to fake it, your readers will see right through you.
This is a newer book of Polacco's. From my research it seems it is biographical. I think every writer has inspiration and someone who held the bar high. This teacher in this book seems to be quite hard on our heroine, but we know that she is going to be worth the effort in the end.
What I'd like to concentrate on with this post is how I would use this book as a language lesson. The teacher in the book gives the same writing assignments as I would give although I would not give them entirely for homework. I think a great first assignment is for students to write about their family and home life. Not only is this in keeping with the rule, 'write what you know', but it's also great for you to learn something about your students early in the year that will help your instruction later.
I love this teacher's use of the thesaurus for her students! I think teachers sometimes forget about these tools because of the influence of the internet, but there are online thesaurus's. It is important for writers to research and use a variety of rich words. I also love the assignments where the students have to use their senses in their writing. They listen to sounds of nature and they listen to conversations. One workshop I went to suggested that you take readers on 'field trips' to watch cars to by the school and to listen to students talk without them knowing. The teacher's use of the senses reminded me of this workshop! Great ideas!
The story goes on as well as the assignments. More writing tasks are given, such as describing objects and their uses other than their intended purpose. This reminded me of a conversation I had with another teacher who loved writer's workshop. She would get students with writer's block to list all the things in their fridge from memory. Writers can always write SOMETHING.
Finally, I loved the assignment where they had to interview someone and an object that meant something to them. This is when the story gets sentimental as Polacco is famous for her touching stories. Keeping on with the writing theme though, I love this assignment too. What a great opportunity for a community connection for your students. You could assign them to an elderly person from the community and they could learn about a generation that they may not have otherwise had access to. It could also be a family member which would be a rich assignment as well.
If all this writing process stuff has you bored, rest assured! This is a fantastic story, a great read aloud for all ages AND a lovely example of the impact that one person can have on someone else.
Patricia Polacco - I've heard her speak and it was memorable, as are her stories. She writes what she knows and what she has experienced. This is the golden rule of writers! Don't try to fake it, your readers will see right through you.
This is a newer book of Polacco's. From my research it seems it is biographical. I think every writer has inspiration and someone who held the bar high. This teacher in this book seems to be quite hard on our heroine, but we know that she is going to be worth the effort in the end.
What I'd like to concentrate on with this post is how I would use this book as a language lesson. The teacher in the book gives the same writing assignments as I would give although I would not give them entirely for homework. I think a great first assignment is for students to write about their family and home life. Not only is this in keeping with the rule, 'write what you know', but it's also great for you to learn something about your students early in the year that will help your instruction later.
I love this teacher's use of the thesaurus for her students! I think teachers sometimes forget about these tools because of the influence of the internet, but there are online thesaurus's. It is important for writers to research and use a variety of rich words. I also love the assignments where the students have to use their senses in their writing. They listen to sounds of nature and they listen to conversations. One workshop I went to suggested that you take readers on 'field trips' to watch cars to by the school and to listen to students talk without them knowing. The teacher's use of the senses reminded me of this workshop! Great ideas!
The story goes on as well as the assignments. More writing tasks are given, such as describing objects and their uses other than their intended purpose. This reminded me of a conversation I had with another teacher who loved writer's workshop. She would get students with writer's block to list all the things in their fridge from memory. Writers can always write SOMETHING.
Finally, I loved the assignment where they had to interview someone and an object that meant something to them. This is when the story gets sentimental as Polacco is famous for her touching stories. Keeping on with the writing theme though, I love this assignment too. What a great opportunity for a community connection for your students. You could assign them to an elderly person from the community and they could learn about a generation that they may not have otherwise had access to. It could also be a family member which would be a rich assignment as well.
If all this writing process stuff has you bored, rest assured! This is a fantastic story, a great read aloud for all ages AND a lovely example of the impact that one person can have on someone else.
Stones on a Grave - Kathy Kacer
I have written several posts about the Secrets Series and our school had the privilege of hosting the Secrets authors this past Fall. I have just now gotten around to reading Kathy Kacer's contribution. Summertime! Time to catch up on all the reading I wish I could do all year long.
I knew I would like this book and I was looking forward to another Holocaust book by Kacer. She is a fabulous writer of this genre. Anytime I recommend a Kathy Kacer book, students usually enjoy them. Last year, a group of students were so moved by her writing that they had a fundraiser and asked her come and do an author talk all on their own.
I was hopeful that 'Stones on a Grave' would be as great as 'Hiding Edith' or 'Clara's War'. I was not disappointed. What was interesting in this story is that Kacer writes about the aftermath of WWII. It's so interesting to read about Germany in the 1960's and experience how Jewish people were treated then and to see how German people felt after the atrocities of Hitler and his armies. It would be a difficult thing to have witnessed some of what happened, to have had some knowledge and have felt powerless, or scared to stand up against what was happening. It's a question you can ask yourself and your students having the benefit of hindsight.
I highly recommend this to anyone interested in WWII and fans of Kacer herself. You can read it on its own or as part of the Secrets series.
I knew I would like this book and I was looking forward to another Holocaust book by Kacer. She is a fabulous writer of this genre. Anytime I recommend a Kathy Kacer book, students usually enjoy them. Last year, a group of students were so moved by her writing that they had a fundraiser and asked her come and do an author talk all on their own.
I was hopeful that 'Stones on a Grave' would be as great as 'Hiding Edith' or 'Clara's War'. I was not disappointed. What was interesting in this story is that Kacer writes about the aftermath of WWII. It's so interesting to read about Germany in the 1960's and experience how Jewish people were treated then and to see how German people felt after the atrocities of Hitler and his armies. It would be a difficult thing to have witnessed some of what happened, to have had some knowledge and have felt powerless, or scared to stand up against what was happening. It's a question you can ask yourself and your students having the benefit of hindsight.
I highly recommend this to anyone interested in WWII and fans of Kacer herself. You can read it on its own or as part of the Secrets series.
Saturday, May 28, 2016
Hush Little Dragon - Boni Ashburn
A constant battle that I have with myself is this: What will I read to the Kindergartens today?
Only librarians will be able to understand the complexity of this struggle. A successful Kindergarten read aloud is a delicate balance that is hard to achieve. You could have a home run book and they might have just enjoyed cupcakes for someone's birthday and you won't have a hope of having them pay attention.
So you need to be prepared. You need a home run book every time they visit. You must have an arsenal of appropriate books on hand. Planning is so very necessary.
It can't be too long. It can't be too simple. It can't be complex. A funny book is good but it has to be kindergarten funny. The list goes on and on and is dependent on the day, time and weather. Coordinating with the kindergarten teacher is helpful because if you read a book on a topic they are studying at the very least, they will talk forever about what they already know.
So I'm going to start sharing some good Kindergarten Read Alouds.
This one I predict is going to be a home run! Why? Because I'm going to sing! I love singing with the K's. They love to sing, they love to hear me sing and I think most of them might know this classic. Hush Little Dragon is written to be sung to the tune of Hush Little Baby. This is a twisted theme because the mama dragon is looking for a bedtime snack for her baby dragon. She finds princesses, soldiers, all sorts of things to give to the baby. I think it's hilarious. And it's kindergarten hilarious. Sing it loud, sing it proud and I bet they'll sing along.
Only librarians will be able to understand the complexity of this struggle. A successful Kindergarten read aloud is a delicate balance that is hard to achieve. You could have a home run book and they might have just enjoyed cupcakes for someone's birthday and you won't have a hope of having them pay attention.
So you need to be prepared. You need a home run book every time they visit. You must have an arsenal of appropriate books on hand. Planning is so very necessary.
It can't be too long. It can't be too simple. It can't be complex. A funny book is good but it has to be kindergarten funny. The list goes on and on and is dependent on the day, time and weather. Coordinating with the kindergarten teacher is helpful because if you read a book on a topic they are studying at the very least, they will talk forever about what they already know.
So I'm going to start sharing some good Kindergarten Read Alouds.
This one I predict is going to be a home run! Why? Because I'm going to sing! I love singing with the K's. They love to sing, they love to hear me sing and I think most of them might know this classic. Hush Little Dragon is written to be sung to the tune of Hush Little Baby. This is a twisted theme because the mama dragon is looking for a bedtime snack for her baby dragon. She finds princesses, soldiers, all sorts of things to give to the baby. I think it's hilarious. And it's kindergarten hilarious. Sing it loud, sing it proud and I bet they'll sing along.
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