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 from Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki of Unleashing Readers and have become a regular linked up blog. Thanks #PLN
We are really focusing on book care in our library lessons because I am seeing some signs of book neglect just two weeks into book circulation. I really like using What Happened to Marion's Book because kids can relate to Marion's neglectful book care habits and can offer wise suggestions for how to better handle books while reading.
Prekinder three year old students have begun to settle down into a daily school routine and no longer spend half the day crying for mommies. They are learning how to share, take turns, and listen to their teachers. It was time to introduce
No, David! by David Shannon. They laughed and laughed and especially laughed at naked butt David running down the street.
In continuing our reading and creating of dots for Dot Day, I read
Press Here by Herve Tullet and made a humungous mistake by uttering the phrase "Viola! each time the dots changed. It was actually quite funny. Little 4 year olds would shout Viola for every little thing that happened and later in the school hallways when I would walk by "Viola!" I can just picture how they went home and tortured their parents over and over with Viola!
Another favorite book for Dot Day is
Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes. The endpapers are similar to Press Here in that they are covered in dots. In the story, kitten notices a little bowl of milk up in the sky (the moon) and tried many attempts to get to that tasty looking milk. Finally after landing into a pond she sadly heads home sad and soaking wet to discover a bowl of milk on the porch waiting for her. It is so sweet.
14 Cows for America is one of my favorite books in our school library. I read it to library classes on Patriot Day/Sept. 11th day. Paired with glowing earth toned illustrations is a story of compassion and friendship between two countries brought together from the pain and sadness experienced on September 11, 2001. (author Carmen Agra Deedy)
This was a 2010 Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee and here is my Bluebonnet Book Club lesson.
I am still reading Rebel McKenzie by Candice Ranson for my Bluebonnet Book Club and so far I really like it.
I love teaching kids about book care. You should read Amelia's First Library Card if you hadn't read. It's a classic case of what not to do!
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of Amelia books and have been wanting this one. It's time.
DeleteI've had such fun with No, David over the years! Rebel is new to me - perhaps okay for the middle grades?
ReplyDeleteYes, Rebel McKenzie is for middle grade readers (4th-8th). It brings back memories of Turtle in Paradise by jenni holm in that Rebel has been put in charge of baby sitting her cousin for the summer and events ensue. I am enjoying it.
DeleteI just came across Press Here this summer (late to the party...) and can't wait to share it with students this year. Great connection to Dot Day!
ReplyDeleteHeed my warning use the phrase "Viola" with care. It is highly infectious but funny.
DeleteI was cracking up, imagining those munchkins shouting, "Voila!" That is too funny! I loved Press Here, and I haven't shared it with anyone older than my 9-month-old yet, but I am excited to enjoy it even more when he is older. Thank you for sharing this fun story!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ricki. I will remember that day fondly. Viola!
DeleteThis reminds me that I need a new copy of Press Here - my copy has been overloved :-)
ReplyDeleteMine is getting overloved too. I hope it holds up for a couple of more years.
DeleteWill definitely check out the first one - noticed my classroom library suddenly looking shabbier than usual. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI found that 14 Cows for America didn't really resonate with elementary students, because they are too young to appreciate/know about the impact of 9/11. Curious if you found you needed to provide a lot of background knowledge.
I start by sharing where I was (teaching 5th grade) and give a brief explanation. I focus mostly on the differences between the two countries-homes, clothing, definition of wealth as understood within the text and illustrations and then on similarities. My main focus in on compassion and reaching out to someone else in their time of sorrow.
DeleteWhat Happened to Marion's Book sounds like a good addition to our library too, will share with the librarians. I love your story of 'voila', just adore those little learners! I don't think I've ever read Kitten's First Full Moon, looks so sweet. Thanks for all!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Linda. Sorry it took so long to reply.
DeleteHi there Julie, I discussed No, David with my higher degree class earlier this year - and we read up on a few journal articles that reviewed it negatively and positively. It was interesting to hear adults' insights about the picturebook too. 14 Cows for America sounds powerful - will look for it. :)
ReplyDelete