The following is a guest post written by Caroline Starr Rose of Caroline by line and the verse novel May B. What’s the point of historical fiction? Publisher’s Weekly recently ran an interview with Newbery and Newbery-Honor medalist Karen Cushman, one of children’s literature’s most celebrated authors. Here’s what she had to say: “I think …

Ellie might finally be able to cast aside the Fat Girl Rules and starfish in real life — by unapologetically being her own fabulous self.

These are my favorite books to read with middle schoolers. My students and tend to love them because of the themes and messages.

As a reading teacher I have a ton of favorite books! I have favorite picture books to read aloud to my own children, some for teaching different reading skills, easy reader chapter books for new readers, favorite novels to share with students as well as for my own personal reading...I could go on! Here are a few of mine broken into categories: Family Favorites: 1. Fancy Nancy books to read with my daughter 2. How I Survived... books to discuss with my son 3. Snuggle Puppy by Boynton 4. Goodnight, Gorilla by Peggy Rathman 5. Where's My Hug? by Amy Hest 6. Firefighter Ted by Andrea Beaty and Pascal Lemaitre 7. Big Red Barn by Margaret Wise Brown 8. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn Teaching Reading Strategy Favorites: 1. Strega Nona-Inferring 2. Just Another Ordinary Day-Imagery 3. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble and The Sand Castle Contest-Summary 4. Mmm, Cookies!-Cause and Effect Novels to Teach to 5-8th Grades: 1. Crash by Jerry Spinelli 2. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli 3. Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli 4. The Lottery Rose by Irene Hunt 5. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins 7. Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt 6. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins I am always in search of new titles, but these are a few of my absolute favorites that I never get tired of reading/sharing! This past week, I updated a novel unit that I love teaching for Maniac Magee. If you have taught this novel or plan to teach it, download the Character Analysis Freebie by clicking the image below. If you are looking for the complete novel unit, click this image: I would love to hear more about any favorite novels you have. Feel free to leave a comment below so I can check them out!

Today I want to share more of my top picks for living books on the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The titles I'm sharing today are appropriate for fourth

Chances are if you are anything like me the first thing you did when you opened this post was scroll down and look at the winners. I’m hoping that you saw some of your favorite 2014 books obe…

Early Readers Learn About What Living Things Need As Well As Which Things Are Nonliving In Nature.\nBook Features: - 24 Pages, 8 inches x 8 inches - Ages 6-7, Grades 1-2 Leveled Readers, Lexile 350L - Simple, easy-to-read pages with vibrant images - Features a teaching focus on phonics for young readers - Includes bolded vocabulary words, an index, and post-reading questions for comprehensionBring Learning to Life: In Living Or Nonliving?, first--second graders learn about everyday nonliving objects, as well as living beings.Science Made Fun: You are a living being! Is a frog, or a stuffed animal? This kid's book helps young readers learn about what makes something a non-living being, as well as what makes something living, too!Build Reading Skills: This engaging 24-page children's book will help your child improve comprehension and build confidence with post-reading comprehension questions, extension activities, and high frequency vocabulary words.Leveled Reading: Part of the My Science Library series, the early reading level text and vibrant photographs make this kid's book a fun, informative title that teaches children about the different types of non-living beings.Why Rourke Educational Media: Since 1980, Rourke Publishing Company has specialized in publishing engaging and diverse non-fiction and fiction books for children in a wide range of subjects that support reading success on a level that has no limits.

Just because summer is here doesn't mean your child shouldn't continue reading - summer reading list for children in Grades 6 - 8

AQUILA THEATRE (Peter Meineck, Artistic Director) is proud to announce that they will continue their season with Homer's Iliad: Book One, beginning March 31st, and continuing through April 25th. Opening Night is set for April 16th. Directed by Peter Meineck, Iliad: Book One will have original music by Anthony Cochrane and movement by Desiree Sanchez. Iliad: Book One will feature John Buxton, Nathan Flower, Jeffrey Golde, Jay Painter, Natasha Piletich, and Vaishnavi Sharma.

One of my favorite children's books is the classic, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, by Judith Viorst. Artie Almeida has a wonderful lesson plan in her book, Mallet Madness, that serves as a great review activity for the beginning of the year! Not only does it review basic rhythms but you can also use it for an instrument technique refresher as well. Our HSES 2nd graders have really enjoyed this activity as we have gotten back into the swing of things in music class. First we read the story together... Next, we reviewed the quarter note, eighth notes, and quarter rest, and then I had the students discover the rhythm of the repeated phrase in the book, "...terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day." I divided the students into 4 groups and each group practiced one part of the phrase. Then each group played their rhythm on their instruments and we put the phrase all together. The woodblocks: The tambourines: The maracas: The drums: Then I read the book again, and each group played the rhythm on their instrument on the correct words. Great job, 2nd graders!

The British playwright W. Somerset Maugham once said “the crown of literature is poetry.” For the English teachers out there who have spent a good part of the year teaching complex novels, grammar rules and how to write a constructed response, this probably rings true! Teaching poetry can be such a treat. It’s fun to have the students interpret ever-deeper meanings from even the shortest of stanzas. And it’s satisfying to find just the right poem to complement the theme or unit you’re focused on right now – be it a rhyming bit about dogs to break up your reading of Where the Red Fern Grows or a more serious poem that pays homage to Memorial Day. The great thing about poetry is that it can be engaging, yet efficient; a couple read-throughs may take only a few minutes and can refresh your students on any number of skills, including close reading, determining central idea, interpreting figurative language, and citing text evidence. Or, it may simply open up a conversation. It’s always great to get the kids talking about literature! So, with all the poems to choose from and all the ways that they can be taught in the classroom where does a teacher start? Well, today, I thought I'd share with you my 5 favorite poems to read, analyze, and teach in the middle school classroom. "In Just" by E. E. Cummings This spring poem is told through the perspective of a child. It's the perfect example of Cummings's poetic innovations. In it, he plays with language, spelling, form, and punctuation. I love teaching and sharing this poem because it's fun and a wonderful way to illustrate how poetry is limitless. Students love discovering that all the typical rules that govern English Language Arts are thrown out the window with poetry. It's mud-luscious! Teach it with this Interactive Flip Book Resource. "Nothing Gold Can Stay" by Robert Frost Looking for a perfect way to combine literature and poetry? Well, look no further than Frost's poem, "Nothing Gold Can Stay." You might already recognize it from The Outsiders. In the novel, Johnny Cade tells Ponyboy to "stay gold." This poem perfectly portrays the theme of the novel, but it works great in isolation, too. Its message that all good things must come to an end is relevant to so many experiences that our adolescent students are having. They'll love Frost's words and message. Help students analyze this poem and four others with this Poetry Analysis Unit. Great news! I've put together an exclusive free lesson for analyzing "Nothing Gold Can Stay!" Sign up below to receive the entire lesson plan, student resources and answer keys. Then, keep your eyes on your inbox because I'll be sending over 50 pages of more free poetry resources your way! Sign me up! "A light exists in spring" by Emily Dickinson I love a poem that makes students dive deep into its meaning and Dickinson's "A light exists in spring" does just that. This poem is complex enough for students investigate figurative language and tone before analyzing its meaning. I've also found that students love learning about Emily Dickinson. They're fascinated by the way she lived much of her life in seclusion. Pairing this poem with a study on Dickinson has always been a hit in my classroom. Celebrate this poem and Emily Dickinson with this reading comprehension learning centers and poem analysis resource. "Journey to Be" by Mark R. Slaughter Here's a contemporary poem that middle schoolers really relate to. It's "Journey to Be" by Mark R. Slaughter. His poem perfectly illustrates that life is about the journey and not the destination. I love sharing and teaching this poem with students at the end of the school year. It's a great read aloud. I've also used it as part of a journey-themed unit. Students love it! Teach "Journey to Be" with this collection of Journey Poems Analysis and Writing. You could even combine it with this FREE end of the year reflection book. "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes What's not to love about the message in Hughes's poem "Mother to Son?" I've taught this poem with students of all grade levels and they all love it. It's message of perseverance is not only important, but it's also so inspirational. This is a great one to share with students before standardized assessments or any time kids could use a little motivation. Help students interpret and analyze "Mother to Son" with this poetry analysis unit. Reading, sharing, and analyzing poetry with middle school students can be so rewarding. There's nothing like watching a class full of students discover a poem's deeper meaning and realize that poetry doesn't have to be intimidating. On the contrary, poetry can be super accessible and even fun! Don't forget... Sign up here: Sign me up! Thanks for stopping by, Mary Beth P.S. Download this FREE Poetry Catalog filled with resources to make teaching poetry fun and engaging. There's even an exclusive poetry writing lesson included. Yahoo!

A reader who works at a conservative school asked me for a wholesome book list for beginning (early / easy) chapter books that do NOT have potty humor nor rude characters with sass and would interest boy readers.

I am by no means the absolute expert on the best books for certain age groups, but now that I have spent a solid amount of time in each 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade as a reading and writing teacher, I definitely have my favorites for each group. If you want to read my ... Read more

Liven up your next Socratic Seminar with these fun games and strategies to get students talking about ANY text!

Making an inference is such an important skill for reading comprehension! Ideas, lessons, anchor charts, & activities for inferring that work with any text!

I'm sharing 10 of my favorites - historical fiction for kids ... set in Bible times. So, here's my list in no particular order. The Bronze Bow, Tizrah,

This is an originally written non-fiction "book", (originally written by me), of how mummies are made. I wanted the "book" to be a high-interest piece and a tool to teach comprehension rather than one that was too technical. Students will analyze and visualize ancient Egyptian culture with this nonfiction read. INCLUDED: *vocabulary cards * journal writing page * graphic organizer * vocabulary portable word wall * review game for comprehension * thinking beyond the text writing * report template * hieroglyphic challenge *Egyptian message scroll *core standards (5th & 6th) *ESL Insights (guide for teachers of ELs) * mummy review game for two players * game directions for playing and an answer key for the game cards * 18 game cards Website sources are listed and some have interactive games for kids about Egypt. Special thanks to for borders and frames. Colored pages reproduce well in grayscale. Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.1 Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.4 Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 5 topic or subject area. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.8 Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence support which point(s) CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.5.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, at the high end of the grades 4-5 text complexity band independently and proficiently. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.3 Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text (e.g., through examples or anecdotes). CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literary nonfiction in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range You might also be interested in another reading resource: Australian Animals Nonfiction Comprehension and Extended Response Fluency Product Other resources: I KNOW ABOUT FIREFLIES NONFICTION READER w/ 7 Activities DIGITAL Close Reads Chocolate & Vanilla Nonfiction Five Types of Context Clues in Nonfiction Internet Research Templates A RAINFOREST FLIP BOOK from ANT TO JAGUAR w/CRAFT AN OCEAN FOOD CHAIN BOOK from PLANKTON TO ORCA 10 Non-fiction Animal Selections for Comprehension Practice Wild Cats of Brazil Integrating Information and Combining Text Guide Word Interactive Notebook Lesson Facts About Cinnamon Comprehension Check Roberto Clemente Patricia Bath Test Prep Close Read A Dandelion's Life WHAT WILL I FIND IN THE GREAT BARRIER REEF TEXT EVIDENCE READ AND RESPOND WINTER-THEMED Here is a lower level reader: What Will I Find in the Desert SOCIAL MEDIA: Jackie Crews Facebook Page Jackie Crews on Pinterest Jackie Crews Blog Jackie on Instagram

1) The one where you fill the head up with words relating to you: 2) Be a Gamemaker, design a Hunger Games arena, and write about it: 3) Make a villain recruitment poster: 4) Tell a story with Disney...

Explorers of the Interior Region (#1085) Embark on a historical journey with the Explorers of the Interior region , an educational resource that's beautifully crafted to assist grade 4, 5, and 6 students in mastering social studies. As a teacher or home educator, you will appreciate how this teaching material seamlessly combines engaging content with pedagogically-sound teaching practices. It is designed to enrich lessons focusing on Canadian history. This PDF file arrives complete with multiple reading activities woven around the intriguing tale of explorers who ventured into Canada's interior region: The book starts by kindling curiosity through making predictions (p.4), followed by prior knowledge questioning (p.5). The learners then delve into richly textured content married to illustrative support (p.6) while applying various reading strategies (p.7). Checking understanding and absorption of information is facilitated via comprehensive questions spanning pages 8 and 9. A handy answer key resides at page ten, facilitating smooth review sessions or self-checks for learners at home-schooling settings. Making connections (p11) helps link newfound knowledge with existing understanding while encouraging students' critical thinking skills. In addition: Fostering personal engagement via reflections about the text(P12) Discussions around their favorite passage from it(P13) Create their version — transforming activity(P14) An array of useful Clipart credits are tucked away on p15 as an appetizing conclusion. This entirely digital product comprising fifteen pages in total: • Ensures convenient usability across classroom settings - be it cluster groups embracing collaborative learning or individual students diving deeper at their pace. • Whole class instruction or set as take-home assignments. Designed thoughtfully for educators aiming to make history come alive in classrooms rural-to-urban or homes ideating unique study-spaces - this resource warrants enriching pedagogical experiences hinging on effective learning, critical thinking, and enhanced comprehension. Explorers of the Interior region (#1085)

I use graphic organizers all the time in all of my classes. There are tons of awesome ones out there on the internet and in teacher resource books that you can run off for your students to use or p…