Tunnell, Michael O. and James S. Jacobs. Children's Literature, Briefly. 4e. Upper Sadle River NJ: Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall, 2008.
I would think that most children may not find interest in reading traditional biographies, unless of course, it is on a person who is of that child's interest. I can remember having to read a biography on some historical figure and then wither writing a report or giving a presentation on that person. It is important that when children read biographies, that the books are engaging and bring life to the subject.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Craft Lesson 8
Baby Mouse: Our Hero, by Jennifer & Matthew Holm
Discussion
Comic books and picture books are fun ways for children to use their imagination. I think that is it important for children to use their imagination as much as possible. Babymouse in particular, is very humorus and I think that students will be able to relate to her character.
How To Teach It
After reading Babymouse, I will ask children to share their thoughts about the book. I will then put them with a partner and have them develop their own character and storyline. They will write out their story line and draw a picture of their character to turn into me. After, editing their stories (if necessary) I will have them get back into their groups and provide them with a blank booklet. Next, they will create their own mini comic book using the provided book. They will use the story line and character they created to write and illustrate their book.
Discussion
Comic books and picture books are fun ways for children to use their imagination. I think that is it important for children to use their imagination as much as possible. Babymouse in particular, is very humorus and I think that students will be able to relate to her character.
How To Teach It
After reading Babymouse, I will ask children to share their thoughts about the book. I will then put them with a partner and have them develop their own character and storyline. They will write out their story line and draw a picture of their character to turn into me. After, editing their stories (if necessary) I will have them get back into their groups and provide them with a blank booklet. Next, they will create their own mini comic book using the provided book. They will use the story line and character they created to write and illustrate their book.
Craft Lesson 6
Picture books, Sidewalk Circus, by Paul Fleischman, and Not a Box, by Antoinette Portis
Discussion
I believe that by children consistently using their imagination through school and play they are developing their minds by promoting mental proceesses, and fostering creativty. When children are actively using their imagination they discover new things and expand on ideas.
How to Teach It
During my reading of Sidewalk Circus I will involve the children by asking them questions and having them make predictions. Before I open the book, I will ask them what they think it will be about just by looking at the cover and reading the title. Throughout the story, I will ask students prediction questions and also what they think about it and we will confirm these predictions as we continue through the book, if possible. I will ask the students to share, using their imagination, what is going on in each page. When they share an idea, I will ask them to expand on it by being as creative as they would like. On the very last page we will see the little girl. I will ask students to think in their minds how she is going to use her imagination. I will allow them to share a couple of their ideas before they go to there desks to write about where her imagination will go.
Discussion
I believe that by children consistently using their imagination through school and play they are developing their minds by promoting mental proceesses, and fostering creativty. When children are actively using their imagination they discover new things and expand on ideas.
How to Teach It
During my reading of Sidewalk Circus I will involve the children by asking them questions and having them make predictions. Before I open the book, I will ask them what they think it will be about just by looking at the cover and reading the title. Throughout the story, I will ask students prediction questions and also what they think about it and we will confirm these predictions as we continue through the book, if possible. I will ask the students to share, using their imagination, what is going on in each page. When they share an idea, I will ask them to expand on it by being as creative as they would like. On the very last page we will see the little girl. I will ask students to think in their minds how she is going to use her imagination. I will allow them to share a couple of their ideas before they go to there desks to write about where her imagination will go.
Babymouse
Holm, Jennifer and Matthew. New York, NY: Random House, 2005.
I loved this book! It was so fun to read, totally different from a traditional children's book. Yes, I think it took a little more effort on the reader's part to know where to start, to go, and to create your own words/story by just looking at the pictures but it is well worth it! Babymouse's attitude and extensive imagination is what got me. Plus, I love that it's a comic book thats feminine!
I loved this book! It was so fun to read, totally different from a traditional children's book. Yes, I think it took a little more effort on the reader's part to know where to start, to go, and to create your own words/story by just looking at the pictures but it is well worth it! Babymouse's attitude and extensive imagination is what got me. Plus, I love that it's a comic book thats feminine!
Sidewalk Circus
Fleischman, Paul and Hawkes, Kevin. Sidewalk Circus. Picture book. Cambridge MA: Candlewick Press, 2004.
Sidewalk Circus has not been one of my favorite reads. The illustrations are done beautifully, which of course, I appreciate however, they are not my taste or my style i guess. The concept behind the book is a good one, children using their imagination. I am just not sure if this book would appeal to most children. Who knows, maybe they would love it, maybe it's just me.
Sidewalk Circus has not been one of my favorite reads. The illustrations are done beautifully, which of course, I appreciate however, they are not my taste or my style i guess. The concept behind the book is a good one, children using their imagination. I am just not sure if this book would appeal to most children. Who knows, maybe they would love it, maybe it's just me.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Poetry Folder
Creating my own poetry folder will not only be a great way to implement poems into my students curriculum, but it also, in a way, introduced me to poetry and the many ways it can be integrated into the classroom. I was unable to recall any poems that were my favorite as a child. Hopefully, with this folder I might be able to prevent that from being the case with my future students. I am looking forward to using poetry in my classroom in the future. I think that the poems I have chosen can be used in many ways and cover a wide range of subjects from math, to science, to language arts. I hope to be able to make reading, listening, and writing poetry entertaining and enjoyable to my students. It is all too often that children dread reading poems or are forced to write their own – I can remember having to do this and not particularly enjoying it. If we as teachers present poetry in fun and stimulating ways that our students are able to familiarize with, we will decrease the likelihood of them disliking poetry as too many kids do. By trying to choose poems that are of interest to my students, I can make learning meaningful and therefore maintain their interest and motivation.
Table of Contents
1. Dropped and Sprung
2. Smart
3. The Whales of Wales
4. If a Deer Dreamed
5. The Dodo
6. The Wind
7. Spring
8. Little Seeds
9. Rain
10. A Sprinkling of Snow
11. 100 Degrees
12. Whistling
13. Swimming
14. Jump Rope Rhythm
15. I like Peanut Butter
16. Soft
17. What Dads Do
18. Crickets
19. The Frog on the Log
20. Grasshopper
1. Dropped and Sprung
Wong, J. Heart to Heart. New York: Harry N. Abrams Inc. 2001.
I chose this poem because I have come to enjoy Janet Wong’s work and respect her as a writer. I would like to become more familiar with her work. This poem’s theme could be used as an introduction when teaching about time zones.
2. Smart
Silverstein, Shel. Where the Sidewalk Ends. NY, NY: HarperCollins Publisher, 1974.
This poem is so cute, and funny too. It’s perfect for a math lesson for teaching about money and what coins are worth.
3. The Whales of Wales
Kennedy, X.J. Livingston, If You Ever Meet a Whale. M.C. (Ed). USA: USA, 1992.
I love reading poems that use alliteration, they are fun to read especially aloud. This poem could either be a great introduction to studying whales or it also could be used when learning about alliteration.
4. If A Deer Dreamed
Moore, L. Poems have Roots. New York: Simon and Schusters Children’s Publishing Division. 1997.
This poem stuck out to me because of the idea it could “be a dream”. I would use this poem when teaching about animals and/or nature.
5. The Dodo
Lewis, J. P. & Wormell, C. Swan Song. Mankato, MN: Creative Editions. (7). 2003.
I chose this poem because it is by J.Patrick Lewis and since listening to him speak I have been wanting to become more familiar with his work. This poem would be perfect while learning/raising awareness about extinction and how we as humans have an affect on that.
6. The Wind
Reeves, J. The Random House Book of Poetry for Children. NY: Random House Inc, 1983.
I like this poem- It shows how powerful nature is capable of being. It would great to read when learning about weather and/or natural disasters.
7. Spring
Kuskin, Karla. Spring. Scholastic Inc. 1996-2008.
I picked this poem because I enjoyed how the author describes spring. This poem is perfect for teaching about metaphors and also the seasons.
8. Little Seeds
Minarik, Else H. NY, NY: HarperCollins Publishers. 2008.
This poem is a great way to introduce plants and vegetables/vegetation. It could also be used to teach about the seasons.
9. The Rain
Koontz, D. The Paper Doorway. New York: Harper Collins Publishing Inc. 1991.
I chose this poem because I like the descriptions the author uses and the many different ways he describes rain. This would be another great poem to use when teaching about the seasons, months, and/or the weather.
10. A Sprinkling of Snow
Frank, J. A Chill in the Air. New York: Simon and Schusters Children’s Publishing Division. 2003.
I think children (that experience snow) would love this poem. It could be read to encourage children to share their stories and experiences playing in the snow. Of course, it would be read during the winter.
11. 100 Degrees
Franco, B. Counting our way to the 100th Day. NY: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division. 2004.
I chose this because I think children would enjoy reading it. It’s very short and simple. This poem could be used when teaching about temperature. It would make the lesson meaningful because kids could understand from a “real world” situation. Or it could be used when learning about weather.
12. Whistling
Prelutsky, Jack. Whistling. NY, Read-Alound Rhymes for the Very Young. 1986.
I think that children will enjoy this poem because they will be able to relate to it. It can be a poem that is encouraging to children.
13. Swimming
Higgins, Alice. Swimming. NY: Read Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young. 1986.
I thought this would be a fun poem to read when the weather is warm, and for children who are close to the appropriate age group.
14. Jump Rope Rhythm
Sheild, Carol Diggory. Almost Late to School. NY: Button Children’s Books. 2003.
I think that students, especially young girls, would be amused by this poem. I am sure they will be able to relate to it – if not about jump roping then about some other activity. We could share our learning experiences with one another.
15. I Like Peanut Butter
Moore, L. I’m small and other verses. Mass: Candlewick Press Inc. 2001.
I could see students loving this poem, loving to read it aloud with me. It’s simple enough, its short, and the repetition will all make enjoyable to read for children.
16. Soft
Greenfield, E. Angels. NY: Hyperion Books for Children. 1998.
I think this poem is very sweet and it could be great for around Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day. Children could rewrite the poem, or even write their own poems for their mothers and make a drawing/project to give to them as gifts.
17. What Dads Do
Viorst, J. Sad Underwear. NY: Simon and Schusters Children’s Publishing. 1995.
This poem is very cute until you get to the last stanza, and then its very sad. But I think I could just take that out. This could be an example for students. They could write their own poems about what they love about their dads and give it to them for Father’s Day gifts.
18. Crickets
Livingston, Myra C. Knock at the Star. NY: Little Brown and Company. 1999.
This is one of my favorites I chose. I love reading it. Its kind of like a tongue twister, with all the words that sound alike and begin with the same letters. This would be a fun one to read with the class, or have them read it aloud. Or it could be used when teaching about insects.
19. The Frog on the Log
Orleans, I. Read Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young. NY: Alfred A. Knof. 1986.
I think this poem will be enjoyable because of its rhyming and repetition. This poem could be used to teach onomatopoeias or about animals.
20. Grasshopper
McLoughland, Beverly. April Bubbles Chocolate. NY: Simon Schuster Children’s Publishing Division. 1994
I think this poem is enjoyable and would be fun to read aloud to students. This could be used to teach similes and metaphors or about insects.
Table of Contents
1. Dropped and Sprung
2. Smart
3. The Whales of Wales
4. If a Deer Dreamed
5. The Dodo
6. The Wind
7. Spring
8. Little Seeds
9. Rain
10. A Sprinkling of Snow
11. 100 Degrees
12. Whistling
13. Swimming
14. Jump Rope Rhythm
15. I like Peanut Butter
16. Soft
17. What Dads Do
18. Crickets
19. The Frog on the Log
20. Grasshopper
1. Dropped and Sprung
Wong, J. Heart to Heart. New York: Harry N. Abrams Inc. 2001.
I chose this poem because I have come to enjoy Janet Wong’s work and respect her as a writer. I would like to become more familiar with her work. This poem’s theme could be used as an introduction when teaching about time zones.
2. Smart
Silverstein, Shel. Where the Sidewalk Ends. NY, NY: HarperCollins Publisher, 1974.
This poem is so cute, and funny too. It’s perfect for a math lesson for teaching about money and what coins are worth.
3. The Whales of Wales
Kennedy, X.J. Livingston, If You Ever Meet a Whale. M.C. (Ed). USA: USA, 1992.
I love reading poems that use alliteration, they are fun to read especially aloud. This poem could either be a great introduction to studying whales or it also could be used when learning about alliteration.
4. If A Deer Dreamed
Moore, L. Poems have Roots. New York: Simon and Schusters Children’s Publishing Division. 1997.
This poem stuck out to me because of the idea it could “be a dream”. I would use this poem when teaching about animals and/or nature.
5. The Dodo
Lewis, J. P. & Wormell, C. Swan Song. Mankato, MN: Creative Editions. (7). 2003.
I chose this poem because it is by J.Patrick Lewis and since listening to him speak I have been wanting to become more familiar with his work. This poem would be perfect while learning/raising awareness about extinction and how we as humans have an affect on that.
6. The Wind
Reeves, J. The Random House Book of Poetry for Children. NY: Random House Inc, 1983.
I like this poem- It shows how powerful nature is capable of being. It would great to read when learning about weather and/or natural disasters.
7. Spring
Kuskin, Karla. Spring. Scholastic Inc. 1996-2008.
I picked this poem because I enjoyed how the author describes spring. This poem is perfect for teaching about metaphors and also the seasons.
8. Little Seeds
Minarik, Else H. NY, NY: HarperCollins Publishers. 2008.
This poem is a great way to introduce plants and vegetables/vegetation. It could also be used to teach about the seasons.
9. The Rain
Koontz, D. The Paper Doorway. New York: Harper Collins Publishing Inc. 1991.
I chose this poem because I like the descriptions the author uses and the many different ways he describes rain. This would be another great poem to use when teaching about the seasons, months, and/or the weather.
10. A Sprinkling of Snow
Frank, J. A Chill in the Air. New York: Simon and Schusters Children’s Publishing Division. 2003.
I think children (that experience snow) would love this poem. It could be read to encourage children to share their stories and experiences playing in the snow. Of course, it would be read during the winter.
11. 100 Degrees
Franco, B. Counting our way to the 100th Day. NY: Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division. 2004.
I chose this because I think children would enjoy reading it. It’s very short and simple. This poem could be used when teaching about temperature. It would make the lesson meaningful because kids could understand from a “real world” situation. Or it could be used when learning about weather.
12. Whistling
Prelutsky, Jack. Whistling. NY, Read-Alound Rhymes for the Very Young. 1986.
I think that children will enjoy this poem because they will be able to relate to it. It can be a poem that is encouraging to children.
13. Swimming
Higgins, Alice. Swimming. NY: Read Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young. 1986.
I thought this would be a fun poem to read when the weather is warm, and for children who are close to the appropriate age group.
14. Jump Rope Rhythm
Sheild, Carol Diggory. Almost Late to School. NY: Button Children’s Books. 2003.
I think that students, especially young girls, would be amused by this poem. I am sure they will be able to relate to it – if not about jump roping then about some other activity. We could share our learning experiences with one another.
15. I Like Peanut Butter
Moore, L. I’m small and other verses. Mass: Candlewick Press Inc. 2001.
I could see students loving this poem, loving to read it aloud with me. It’s simple enough, its short, and the repetition will all make enjoyable to read for children.
16. Soft
Greenfield, E. Angels. NY: Hyperion Books for Children. 1998.
I think this poem is very sweet and it could be great for around Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day. Children could rewrite the poem, or even write their own poems for their mothers and make a drawing/project to give to them as gifts.
17. What Dads Do
Viorst, J. Sad Underwear. NY: Simon and Schusters Children’s Publishing. 1995.
This poem is very cute until you get to the last stanza, and then its very sad. But I think I could just take that out. This could be an example for students. They could write their own poems about what they love about their dads and give it to them for Father’s Day gifts.
18. Crickets
Livingston, Myra C. Knock at the Star. NY: Little Brown and Company. 1999.
This is one of my favorites I chose. I love reading it. Its kind of like a tongue twister, with all the words that sound alike and begin with the same letters. This would be a fun one to read with the class, or have them read it aloud. Or it could be used when teaching about insects.
19. The Frog on the Log
Orleans, I. Read Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young. NY: Alfred A. Knof. 1986.
I think this poem will be enjoyable because of its rhyming and repetition. This poem could be used to teach onomatopoeias or about animals.
20. Grasshopper
McLoughland, Beverly. April Bubbles Chocolate. NY: Simon Schuster Children’s Publishing Division. 1994
I think this poem is enjoyable and would be fun to read aloud to students. This could be used to teach similes and metaphors or about insects.
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