Curlilocks and the Big Bad Hairbrush
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This is such a fun story, no matter your age. Stanley Yelnats is a boy with a history of bad luck–all brought on by his "no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather." Yelnats ends up at Camp Green Lake—a juvenile detention center, where there is no lake--and has to dig a giant hole eve
April is National Poetry Month, a time when we celebrate poets and their craft. Poetry is playful and introduces language to children in a unique way. Poems can provide a window into another world where we can understand the lives, perspectives, and experiences of different people and places. The best place I have found poems to share with kids is through books. Not all poetry books are created equal, so here are some of my favorite poetry books for kids.
This beautifully written book takes the reader on a late night journey through the woods looking for owls. After a long wait the little girl goes out owling with her Pa. They tromp through the woods who-whoooing in hopes that an owl will respond. The owls do not respond the first time, but that doesn't matter they continue their search. Finally, their persistence and continued who-whooing pays off when an owl comes flying over head. When it lands on the branch overhead the girl stands there in utter silence enjoying the entire owling experience. This book is a great mentor text for writing and is filled with beautiful figurative language but that is not what I looked at for this review. I looked at the reading skills and strategies that work with this story. So if you are interested using this book for more than the language take a look at the list below, it may help you use this book for more than just writing. Reading level: 3.2 Theme/subject: winter Genre: realistic fiction Suggested Vocabulary/phrases: statues, woolen cap, faded, Great Horned Owl, stained, edge of the meadow, Reading skills and strategies: Asking questions - {possible questions before}I wonder what the story is going to be about. I wonder what an owl moon is. I wonder where the people on the cover are going. {possible questions during}I wonder what owling is. I wonder why you have to be quiet to go owling. I wonder if they will find an owl. {possible questions after} I wonder when they will go owling again. **Remember to have your students answer/reflect their questions. Author's point of view – first. Be sure to find 3 pieces of evidence to support this (I, we ). Author's purpose - entertain {evidence} The illustrations feel cold. The author uses lots of descriptive writing. The characters were happy in the story. Beginning, middle, end - {most important event from beginning} Pa took little girl out owling for the first time. {most important event from middle} Pa called out and the owl came threading its way through the trees. {most important event from end} They stared at the big owl that landed on the branch above them. Cause and effect – Why did the night sky seem to shine? Because the moon was so bright. Why were Pa and the girl walking towards the woods? Because they were going owling. How come the girl was not disappointed when they didn’t hear an owl? Because her brothers told her that sometimes there are owls and sometimes there are not. Why did Pa turn on his flashlight? So they could see the owl. How come it was time to go home? Because they saw an owl. Character analysis - describe the girl {looks like, feelings, thoughts, character} Classify & categorize – Classify times to talk, categorize when it is appropriate to talk and when you shouldn’t talk. Connections - {possible text-to-self connections} Doing something special with your dad. Seeing an owl. Hiking through the woods at night in the snow. Needing to be completely quiet. Drawing conclusions & inferencing – Why are you supposed to be quiet when you go owling? {text clues} Pa has gone owling a lot and that is what he said. {what I know} I know that some animals run away with loud noises. {my conclusion} If they wanted to see an owl they would need to be quiet so it doesn’t get scared and fly away. Fact & opinion – {fact} The girl and her dad went out late at night. It was a full moon. The girl and her Pa saw an owl. The girl had been waiting to go owling with her dad for a very long time. {opinion} Owls are beautiful. It is scary to be out at nighttime in the forest. It is hard to walk in the snow. It is not fun to be outside when it is so cold. Nighttime noises are spooky. Main idea & details - {main idea} The story is mostly about a girl and her Pa going out to look for owls. {details} The little girl had to run after her Pa every once in a while. Pa would call out, “Who-who-who, who”. The stared at an owl that was on a branch over their head. Plot - the turning point or climax in the story was when an owl called back. Predict – What do you think the story is going to be about? What do you think owling is? Do you think they will see an owl? Do you think the girl will make noise and scare the owl away? Problem & solution - {problem} The little girl’s father was calling for owls but none were calling back. {solution} The little girl and her father kept walking and calling and keeping quiet. Sequencing – The little girl and her Pa went owling late one night. They hiked to the line of pine trees. Pa called out to the owls. They walked further into the woods. The girl and her Pa made it to a clearing in the woods. Pa called to the owls again. The girl stood quiet and still looking and listening for an owl. The owl came threading through the trees. Pa shone the flashlight on the owl that landed on the branch above them. They stared at the owl. The owl flew away. They walked home. Story elements - list title, author, characters, setting, beginning, middle, end, or problem & solution. Strong thought – After staring at the owl on the branch above her head, the girl and her Pa walked home quietly. How would you have reacted and walked home? Summarize – {someone}Pa was calling out to the owls because they {wanted}wanted to see an owl {but}but the owls were not responding {so}so she had to be very quiet {then}then they saw one and {finally}finally went home. Theme – The lesson to be learned from this story is do what you are told and keep going because it will pay off in the end. Happy planning!
Plot Summary: Winn Dixie is definitely not the cutest dog, but when 10 year old Opal finds him inside the grocery story making a mess and being chased by the manager, she realizes that she needs to save him. So, she takes him home, gives him a bath, and names him after the store that he was wrecking. After all, Opal's father has always told her that it's their job to help those in need. Winn Dixie is her only friend so far in this new town. Opal's father is a preacher and they just moved to Naomi, Florida, a tiny little town whose inhabitants are somewhat odd and seem to keep to themselves. Opal doesn't remember her mother since she left when Opal was only three. The preacher doesn't like to talk about her, so Opal knows nothing about her and often wonders what her mama was like. Opal is lonely, and hangs on tightly to the little pieces of information that her father shares about her mama since it's all she has. This is a heartwarming story about how this poor, unwanted dog helps this young girl gain the courage to reach out and find friendship, as well as to grow closer to her father. Genre: Realistic fiction Subjects/Themes: Friendship, dogs, loneliness Awards: Newbery Honor Book Reviews: Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, and Booklist Age Group: Grades 4-6 High Interest Annotation: For dog lovers everywhere
If your students read 'Because of Winn-Dixie', this page lists reading levels, lesson ideas/activities, and more.
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Poetry Break with “Raccoon” by Mary Ann Hoberman Hoberman, Mary Ann. 1998. The Llama Who Had No Pajama: 100 Favorite Poems. Ill. by Betty Fraser. San Diego, CA: Browndeer Press. Age Group: Late Elementary Introduction: Bring enough colored plastic eggs for each student in the class, small dried peas/beans, and electrical tape (or any other strong flexible tape). Give an egg to each student and have him/her put a small amount of peas/beans inside to make a shaker egg rhythm instrument. Seal with electrical tape. Pass out a copy of “Raccoon” to each student and read it to them in an upbeat rhythmic fashion. Raccoon Crash goes the trash can! Clatter and clacket! What in the world can be making that racket? I hurry to look by the light of the moon, And what do I find? Why, a fine fat raccoon! All through the garden the garbage he’s strewn, And he’s eating his supper, that robber raccoon, Eating so nicely without fork or spoon, Why, his manners are perfect, that thieving raccoon! And wasn’t he smart to discover that pail? And wasn’t he smart to uncover that pail? And isn’t he lucky he won’t go to jail For stealing his dinner and making a mess For me to clean up in the morning, I guess, While he, the old pirate, abundantly fed, Curls up in a ball fast asleep in his bed? Extension: Have the students read the poem with you, shaking the eggs on the beat. Then, after the class is comfortable with the words and rhythm, divide into two groups and have each group read alternating lines. Encourage the children to slap their legs, a desk, etc., in addition to shaking the eggs to feel the rhythm of the poem.
Links to children's books about Black classical music making in history and in fiction!
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From clothing challenges to learning about different clothes around the world these children's books about clothing are just what you are looking for.
Instantly access The Ugly Duckling plus over 40,000 of the best books & videos for kids.
We are proud to showcase these featured titles. Each of these books were either written by Maria or produced through her publishing company, Cardinal Rule Press.
I'm linking up with Amanda and Stacia at Collaboration Cuties for the first Social Studies edition of their Must Read Mentor Text linky. Since Social Studies is near and dear to my heart I am really looking forward to seeing what everyone else recommends today! Segregation and integration are two topics that I find my students really struggle to understand. The concept is just so foreign to them and its so difficult for them to even imagine society treating people in such a horrible way! I always find that books help students get a better grasp of this concept and today I'm going to share one of my favorite books to use when talking about the struggles of integration. This book tells the story of two young boys during the summer their town is integrated. They have such high hopes for doing things together that they never could before, but they are met with some very harsh realities. It does an excellent job showing children the difficulties faced by African Americans even during integration. It is also a beautiful book about friendship. I hope you enjoy sharing this touching book with your students.
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Arbor Day and Earth Day are two holidays in April with a focus on trees, conservation, and caring for the Earth. This list of recommended fiction and nonfiction children's picture books will help supplement your library story hour or preschool circle time with a STEAM focus for the spring.
