So this is a change....I have NOT been excited about the Sequoyah book list in a few years. Could I be more excited because I just became my school's LMS? Well yes that is a factor but more importantly..it's the books--as it should be.
I was at my public library when I saw their display for the Sequoyah books. For those of you who aren't familar with this ....students must read(or have read to them) three books to be able to vote for their favorite. The past view years have really shown an emphasis on older readers and harder books. As a classroom teacher this past year I only manage to read one aloud so few of my students got to vote. I have tried to do two in the past so they only have to do one on their own.
Back the the library....the first thing I noticed was the easy reads or picture books or nonchapter if you will. The last time I posted I discussed one of those books. but this trip I was able to snag 5 books! And only one of those was a chapter book. Now this is important for a few reasons. One I am supposed to be doing homework! Two you can only check these out for seven days. Three I am leaving for the AVID conference on Wednesday. So I am excited to knock out so many from my list in such a short amount of time. I probably could have sat there and read the 5 short ones but what's the fun in that? Don't you love the feeling of your arms loaded down with new books to read??
Onward, so last night I read these jewels and that's when I got really excited! I could immediately find ways to teach with each of these. Of course since I am not in the classroom I will have to tweak my lessons. UGH!!!
Stop....find the joy in the books! Anyways here they are!!!!
The first is How to Clean a Hippotamus: A Look at Unusual Animal Partnerships by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. This nonfiction is easy to read, has great pictures, and is FULL of animals. This will mesh with using Common Core Standards to teach science. I could teach for weeks with this book.
The next isThe Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco. I have read this book a few times and love it everytime. My favorite part is when the students get vials of smells to make their groups. I love these messages about not giving up and doing your best. So important in our classrooms when kids just are motivated to work hard.
Ruth and the Greeen Book by Calvin Alexander Ramsy was very informative. It tells the story of Ruth and her family as they go on a trip to her grandmother's. The problem is they are African American and it is the fifties and segregation keeps them from using restrooms, eating in restaurants, and staying in motels. The Green Book to the rescue!
Last of these but as the cliche goes not the least---probably my favorite for class use is MirrorMirror: A Book of Reversible Verse by Marilyn Singer. This is a book of forwards and reverse poems about fairy tales. As a poetry book it really captures the reader's interest. But as a tool to teach point of view and inferencing. Made my heart go pitter patter....this will be so fun to teach with!
Last week I also finished one of the chapter books on the list, The Dancing Pancake by Eileen Spinelli and Joanne Lew-Vrietholf. This book about a young girl dealing with her parents' separation. This would be a great read aloud for the classroom and you could do losts of writing extensions.
And yes I did do my homework this week too. I am so blessed that I can go to a book for information, for fun, and for relaxation. Help a child to accomplish this too!
-go read a book,
Kathy
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