As a librarian I inherited a few Todd Parr books and I have used them endlessly with young students. Often topics like Remembrance Day are too complex for little people to understand. So books like 'The Peace Book', can explain what we really need in this world - to love each other and realize that we are different.
I love that Parr ends each of his books with a letter to the reader. It makes the message very personal and in my experience, kids love to hear the voice of the author.
Another Parr book, 'It's OK to Make Mistakes', is great to read at the beginning of the year so that students know that you expect them to make mistakes. The message is that through mistakes we truly learn. Even big people!
'The Family Book' is one that I have just ordered, but feel it is necessary as we see so many different types of family in our schools.
My new favourite Todd Parr book is 'The Goodbye Book', how touching! Todd writes at the back that this was the hardest book to write because it is hard to say goodbye. This would be a great book to keep on hand for when your students experience loss.
Bravo, Todd Parr!
Friday, July 8, 2016
Vote for Me! - Ben Clanton
Being politically minded, I thought this was a great book. I find it hugely American with the reference to donkeys and elephants, so I struggle to think of ways that I could use it for Canadian Government. It would be a great resource for an American History course.
You could definitely talk about how not to run a campaign for sure. This election is getting ugly very quickly. 'Vote for Me!' could also be used to discuss persuasive texts. How do you convince people that you are right? For one thing, you don't act like the characters act in this text!
It's a fun text that is reminds me of 'Elephant and Piggie' books, purely for fun.
You could definitely talk about how not to run a campaign for sure. This election is getting ugly very quickly. 'Vote for Me!' could also be used to discuss persuasive texts. How do you convince people that you are right? For one thing, you don't act like the characters act in this text!
It's a fun text that is reminds me of 'Elephant and Piggie' books, purely for fun.
Ten Birds - Cybele Young
Ten Birds starts off simply. Or so it seems. Birds are trying to cross a bridge. One by one, they come up with method of crossing.
The solution seems obvious.
Or does it?
This can be a simple counting book, but I bet even little people will wonder why those silly birds just don't FLY.
I took to some good old research for this one. I was thinking perhaps I wasn't smart enough to GET it
Simple counting book? Sure. A way of explaining creative thinking? There's more than one answer! No one way is the right way?
I believe the author used birds for a very specific purpose. We are left wondering. If they are birds, first off, who says they HAVE to fly? These birds don't want to fly. They are not going to relegated to a certain role because they are birds. Here's something that I found that sums up what I am horribly trying to explain: "A most unusual book for readers of all ages, one that brilliantly illustrates the inadequacies of labels and the idea that the best solution to a problem is often the simplest one." Perfect. That's exactly what I was trying to say.
Of course, reading is thinking, so now I'm making a connection. My son was recently diagnosed as LD in language. He knows this and now we often have the discussion that even though he has difficulty with writing, he is smart in so many ways. He is going to struggle, but I want him to see that just because writing is hard for him, he has strengths in so many other areas.
So while readers will go insane with these 'challenged' birds, wondering why they don't just spread their wings and fly, we are left to realize that perhaps there is another way. This is a great questioning opportunity, a great way to recap a STEAM project or a math problem. There is more than one way to approach a problem. Bravo to those students (and especially TEACHERS) who see this as well!
The solution seems obvious.
Or does it?
This can be a simple counting book, but I bet even little people will wonder why those silly birds just don't FLY.
I took to some good old research for this one. I was thinking perhaps I wasn't smart enough to GET it
Simple counting book? Sure. A way of explaining creative thinking? There's more than one answer! No one way is the right way?
I believe the author used birds for a very specific purpose. We are left wondering. If they are birds, first off, who says they HAVE to fly? These birds don't want to fly. They are not going to relegated to a certain role because they are birds. Here's something that I found that sums up what I am horribly trying to explain: "A most unusual book for readers of all ages, one that brilliantly illustrates the inadequacies of labels and the idea that the best solution to a problem is often the simplest one." Perfect. That's exactly what I was trying to say.
Of course, reading is thinking, so now I'm making a connection. My son was recently diagnosed as LD in language. He knows this and now we often have the discussion that even though he has difficulty with writing, he is smart in so many ways. He is going to struggle, but I want him to see that just because writing is hard for him, he has strengths in so many other areas.
So while readers will go insane with these 'challenged' birds, wondering why they don't just spread their wings and fly, we are left to realize that perhaps there is another way. This is a great questioning opportunity, a great way to recap a STEAM project or a math problem. There is more than one way to approach a problem. Bravo to those students (and especially TEACHERS) who see this as well!
Alexandria of Africa - Eric Walters
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.
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.
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!
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