It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme began by Sheila at Book Journeys as
a way to share what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and what
is in store for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what
others are reading. I first learned about it at Teach Mentor Texts.
It's Early Bird Reader time again. This is a program I wholeheartedly support as it involves putting books into the hands of young children not yet in school. We want to make sure they are exposed to books as soon as possible. The goal is for siblings to bring home books to read to little brothers, sisters, cousins, or close friends. The books are given to the "baby birds" to help build up home libraries. It is not an easy thing to read to little brothers and sisters so I have to provide a bit of good humored training. I pretend to be the little sibling and let the big brother or sister attempt to read to me. Just like a two year old, I snatch the book out of their hands or try to take over the reading or even walk away mid sentence. Students are always shocked but better it be with me during practice then experience frustration at home. I give students tips and tricks for reading to little one to make the experience enjoyable for all.
Here are some of the books I have been reading this week:
THe Year of Billy Miller is the first book we will be reading for our
#virtualbookclub chat at 9 p.m. EST 1/20/14!
Scarlatti's Cat by Nathaniel LachenmeyerMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Italian composer Domenico Scarlatti composed a beautiful sonata known as "Cat's Fugue" which was supposedly inspired by his pampered cat, Pulcinella scampering across the keys of his harpsichord one day in pursuit of a mouse. In concern for the future of his profession and that of other great composers, he decids it best to give poor Pulcinella away lest she steal their limelight.
Clara's Crazy Curls by Helen PooleMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Clara loves her tall head of massive curls but would love it even better if her hair were as tall as the sky. She applies a little hair cream and viola! Clara should have been careful for what she wished for because although her curls are great fun at first, trouble soon follows. Colorful, fun, and crazy curls! I like that Clara also learns that honesty is an important virtue.
The Only Alex Addleston in All These Mountains by James SolheimMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Alex Addleston and Alex Addleston met each other on the first day of Kindergarten and became instant best friends. They remained best friends until the day Alex's family moved to Kenya to build schools. Years went by and they lost touch until one firefly filled, night when the Alex's met again.
I haven't done a lot of reading recently as I have been spending most of my time coughing but I seem to be on the mend and plan to get back in the groove of things.
Happy reading to you all.
Love the "good humored training" - such a wise thing to do! :) Hope you have a healthy, happy reading week!
ReplyDeleteThanks. We are moving into fairy tales and twisted tales so I am looking forward to a lot of fun with library lessons. I have three terrific huge little pig houses.
DeleteLove the sounds of this Early Reader program Thanks for sharing! So important to get books in hands and in homes of little ones! Glad to hear you are feeling better. Happy reading this week.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carrie. Always a pleasure to hear from you.
DeleteLooks like you have amazing picturebooks here. All new to me titles. Like Carrie, I'm also intrigued by the Early Reader Program - looks like a win-win for both the older sibs and the younger ones not yet in school! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are both correct. The program is beautiful in execution. The students and their families love building up home librarians. I love watching little ones grow into students that have benefited from older siblings reading to them.
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