Science

What are science texts?
 Science texts are texts that can be used in the science classroom.  Usually science texts are meaningful texts to students and they can be applied to science concepts that are age appropriate.  The most effective science texts focus in on one or two science concepts.  These books usually contain numerous hard facts, but the ones that children like best are the ones that imbed the facts within a story.  This is because it hides the fact that students are reading nonfiction.  The narrative stories seem to engage students better.

Science texts are important because sometimes we rely too much on the textbook as the only text that students read in the content areas.  It is important for students to learn science from a variety of perspectives.  This is important not only from an academic standpoint, but also from a lifelong skill of forming an opinion.  Using these texts will keep students engaged and allow them to learn from a variety of strategies. The best science picture books are ones that can be applied directly to what is being learned with the textbook or through investigations.


Text Suggestions

Me and My Amazing Body by Joan Sweeney

Scholastic.com

ISBN-10: 0375806237
Publisher: Dragonfly Books
Year: 2000
Grade Level Equivalent: 2.9
Lexile Measure: 710L
Interest Level: Grades K-2

Themes:

• Human Body

Main Ideas:

•  Covers the different parts of the body
• Skin, bones, muscles, brain, blood, heart
• Good self-esteem theme at the end: not everyone's body is the same
• Cool facts in the back

Connection to the Classroom:

• This book would be great in a science classroom.  I think it would fit perfectly into a unit on the human body.
• I also think that this book would be good for guidance and lead into a good discussion into different body parts.  This could also lead into a health lesson about taking care of our body.

Scholastic.com

 A Warmer World: From Polar Bears to Butterflies, How Climate Change Affects Wildlife
by Caroline Arnold
ISBN-10: 1580892663
Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing
Year: 2012
Grade Level Equivalent: 9.5
Lexile Measure: 1110
Interest Level: Grades 3-5

Themes:

• Global Warming and Climate Change

Main Ideas:

• Describes how the climate change has affected ecosystems around the world and how animals within these ecosystems have adapted
•  Relevant to real world issues
• Little sections of text
• There is a glossary in the back

Connection to the Classroom:

• This is a great book to use in science.  It would also be a good debate started for older students. 
• The higher Lexile and grade level is probably because of the big science words and the bigger and more complex issue of global warming

Environmental Texts

What are environmental texts?
 Environmental texts usually contain information that is portrayed through word and image.  Reading print from the world around us is a beginning stage to literacy development.  The letters, numbers, shapes, and colors found in logos for products and stories all have opportunities for beginning readers to interact with words in their own environment.  Environmental texts are everywhere.  Every day we read environmental texts.  This is the first type of print that children learn to read.
In the classroom, environmental texts are very meaningful to students.  It is also a good tool to use for a confidence builder in young children and to get them excited for reading.  
http://www.pre-kpages.com/environmental_print/

Environmental texts can also be books about the safety of our environment.  A lot of books today discuss how we need to take care of our world.  Environmental issues are a hot topic and it is becoming increasingly important for children to understand our role in saving the planet.  Many of these books are becoming popular and are good for students to be exposed to.  These type of books lend themselves to transfer.  After reading these books, we want to take action and do something.

Suggested Texts

Picture and Information from Scholastic

  The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
ISBN-10: 0394823370
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Year: 1971
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.5
Lexile Measure: 560L
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.5

Themes:

• Environmental Conservation and Preservation
• Pollution

Main Ideas:

•  "Unless someone like you...cares a whole awful lot...nothing is going to get better...it's not"
• This book was published longer before the movement for a greener earth
• Dr. Seuss sent us a fair warning through his character the Lorax
• He warned against mindless progress and the danger that it has on earth's natural beauty
• Wonderful images

 Connection to the Classroom:

• This would be great for Earth Day.  After reading it, students could make a promise to improve the earth
• Also could be used in science class in general



Amazon.com

• A good supplement is the movie that came out recently

 I Read Symbols by Tana Hoban
ISBN-10: 0688166962
Publisher: Harper Trophy
Year: 1999
 Interest Level: PK-3rd
Lexile Measure: NA

Main Ideas:

• All pictures, no words
• All pictures of different signs in the environment
• There are a lot of signs that you would see on the road
• At the end of the book, it shows each sign and what each means

Connection to the Classroom:

• This book would be very good for young students.
• These symbols are all around us, and if they can learn what they mean then they will become more engaged in the environment
• They will also be highly motivated to learn these sign's meanings because it is important to them
• Also see I Read Signs by Tana Hoban for a book on signs that we see in the community

True Journals

What is a true journal?
 A true journal is a type of personal narrative.  It is a log written by an author at regular intervals. A common feature among most true journals is that the entries are usually dated.  Usually these are published in a way that is effective in sharing historical fiction.  Fictional journals can be animal fantasies when written by animals. 

True journals are effective in the classroom because it gives students a first hand look at what a specific person goes through in their life.  They are fairly common among children because they can either be fiction or nonfiction.  This genre can be either used as a content specific reading activity or it can be a leisurely read for students.  Social studies is a common content area that might involve the most true journals. Students tend to prefer this genre because of it's readability.  The author seems to come to life when someone reads a true journal.  You get to feel how the author felt and learn what they learned.  It may also be beneficial for students to write their own true journals.  This is popular among the younger ages, especially for practicing their writing.  It may be encouraged for students to keep a journal all year and then be able to refer back to it at the end of the year.


Suggested Texts

Image and Information from Scholastic.com

 Are you there God, It's Me Margaret by Judy Blume
Publisher: Hamlyn Young Books
Year: 1998
Grade Level Equivalent: 4.7
Lexile Measure: 590L
Grades: 4-7

Themes:

• Adolescent Issues
• Changes and New Experiences
• Religion and Philosophy
• Friends and Friendship
• Romantic Relationships

Main Ideas:

• Margaret just moved from New York City to the suburbs and is nervous about fitting in with her new friends: Nancy, Gretchen, and Janie
• The girls form a secret club to talk about private subjects like boys, bras, and getting their first periods
• Margaret doesn't have a religion and everyone in her town joins the Y or the Jewish Community Center.  She doesn't know what to do.
• Her life becomes confusing.
• Maybe its all about growing up, but Margaret needs answers.
• So, she turns to God and writes letters to Him daily

Connection to the Classroom:

• Obviously, judging by the themes listed, this book has some critiques
• However, I believe that this book is good for students to read because it relates to them
• I would never have the whole class read it, but I would have it available for girls if I taught the appropriate age.

Image and Information from Scholastic

 Diary of a Fly by Doreen Cronin
 ISBN-10: 1430104070
Publisher: Live Oak Media
Year: 2008
Grade Level Equivalent: 2.5
Lexile Measure: 490
Interest Level: PreK-2

Themes:

• Insects
• Journal Keeping
• Comedy and Humor

 Main Idea:

• Explains what flieds do
• Humorous, but educational
• Facts are hidden behind the catchy story line
• Life cycle of a fly is even included
• The world needs all kinds of super heros
• Good alternative message as well

Connection to the Classroom:

• This would be a great book for science
• It is a fun perspective on a very interesting insect that most kids can relate to because they see flies all the time
•  Great for children's imagination

Magazines

What are magazines?
 Magazines are texts that are subscribed to.  The reader generally receives the issues on a regular basis (weekly, monthly, annually, etc.).  Magazines are generally seen as a very leisurely read.  The short articles offer the reader a quick insight to the latest events and issues.  Magazine features (page numbers, table of contents, sections, pictures, etc) allow the reader to read only the things that interest them.  The audience can be selective. This is what makes magazines popular, they are catchy to the audience.  I grew up with magazines being in print form.  I generally still prefer them that way.  However, many magazine subscriptions are now digital.  The preference is personal, but both would be useful in the classroom setting.

In the classroom, magazines provide students with a fun and entertaining way to get up to date information.  Magazines attract students because of their pictures, their casual language, and their short and to the point.  Students can also chose what to read based on what is interesting to them. Magazines come in many different forms, some academic or content specific and others are not.  Students can read magazines with numerous different purposes in mind.  If a teacher has a student that refuses to read, maybe a sports magazine or a beauty magazine would get them going.  Students can also read to report.  Students can use magazines as a reference for current information. 


Text Suggestions

Highlights.com

Highlights
ASIN#: B00008IHFC
Publisher: Highlights for Children
Age: 6-12

Main Ideas/Themes:

• Can be purchased at different levels:
• Highlights Hello for ages 0-2
• High Five for ages 2-6
• Highlights for ages 6-12
• Highlights 6-12 is probably the most common.
• It features hidden picture scenes.  Every issue has a busy, black and white picture that has hidden objects within it that the kids have to find
• There are engaging fiction and nonfiction stories.  These entertaining stories will engage most students. 
• There are also puzzles, experiments, and more.  The magazine features a lot of brain-teasing as well.

Application to the Classroom

•  Highlights would be a great magazine to have in the classroom library.
• I don't think I would use it in a content area, but I think that students would enjoy having it in the classroom library.  I can see it being a popular indoor recess alternative or students who finish their homework early.
• This magazine provides a fun and quick way for students to get their reading in.

National Geographic for Kids

National Geographic for Kids 
ASIN#: B000063XJL
Publisher: National Geographic Society

Main Ideas/Themes:

• Includes quizzes and writing exercises
• A great way to get kids reading
• World records are included
• Word searches
• Fun facts
• Great pictures

Application for the Classroom

• The National Geographic for Kids has a great teacher site.
•  http://ngexplorer.cengage.com/pathfinder/teachers.html
• Site includes projector editions to the magazine for whole class reading
• Also has videos and related content
• They also have an app that includes an interactive edition of the magazine.  It includes videos and audio, more photos, interactive diagrams and graphics, expanded glossaries, and more
• I can definitely see this magazine being used for both content specific activities and for students to leisurely read.

Math

What are math books?
Math books are books that teach students math concepts in a fun and unique way that is, sadly, nontraditional at this point.  Most math teachers are textbook focused and narrow minded.  They do not realize all of the amazing picture books that can help their students transfer their math knowledge into the world around them.  The math picture books make math fun, entertaining, and more easily understood for students.  Many math books aid themselves to different classroom activities.  Most of the time, the child's understanding of math concepts are improved after reading these type of books.

Suggested Texts:

Picture and Information from Scholastic.com

Even Steven and Odd Todd by Kathryn Cristaldi
ISBN#: 0590227157
Publisher: Cartwheel
Year: 1996
Grade Level Equivalent: 2.2
Lexile Measure: 410L
Interest Level: Grades K-2

Main Themes:

• Counting and Numbers
• Family Life
• Early Math

Main Ideas:

• Cousin Odd Todd visits Even Steven.
• Even Steven likes everything to come in even numbers, his pets, library books, and even pancakes
• Odd Todd likes everything to come in odd numbers.
• This makes life a little complicated for these two cousins.  
•  After some minor conflict, they end up happy together
• Good lesson on compensation

Application to Classroom:

• Good for a reading lesson with a subject connection, or it could even be used in math class
• Great exposure to odd numbers especially when the pictures are used (you can count and see that their clothing is odd and even numbered

Information and Picture found at Scholastic.com

 If Dogs Were Dinosaurs by David M. Schwartz
 ISBN#: 0439676126
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Year: 2005
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.2
Lexile Measure: 520L
Interest Level: K-5

Themes:

• Ratio
• Proportion
• Scale
• Math

Main Ideas:

•  This is a book full o amazing examples of relative size.  
• The illustrations add a lot to this book, they are funny and literal and they make the mind-blowing math concepts clear.
• This book is concise and easy to follow
• An example: "If your dog were the size of a dinosaur, his dinner would fill your bedroom!" "If the moon were the size of a marble, earth would fit in your hands!"

Informational Poetry

What is informational poetry?
 Informational poetry is poems that are written in a way that is fun, but the students still learn from the content of the poem.  The words and materials discussed in the poem are written in such a way that after reading the poem, the audience has learned something new.  Poets usually write poems that contain different facts and information.  Informational poetry is a fun way for kids to be exposed to more information on a given concept.  Students get very engaged with poetry, so informational poetry is generally very effective for them.  Of course, when teaching a concept, more information is needed than just what is in the poem, but the poem provides a nice alternative.  Most children's books are seen as a poetic type of writing style.  Below you will find some wonderful examples of good informational poetry books.

In the classroom, poetry is often overlooked as an academic way to express what you know.  However, poetry is fun for a lot of students and it comes very easy for students at a young age.   Poetry can be used in any content area, especially when we talk about informational poetry.  There are many different types of mentor texts that can be used to model informational poetry for students. A lot of the younger students, make informational poetry books without even knowing it.  

Suggested Texts:

Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow by Joyce Sidman

Picture and Information found at Scholastic.com

ISBN#: 061856313X
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Year: 2006
Grade Level Equivalent: 4.3
Lexile Measure: NA
Interest Level: Grades 3-5

Themes:

• Birds
• Science
• Animals
• Plants and Flowers

 Main Ideas:

• This book contains poetry riddles and science knowledge.
• Through this book, children will be exposed to the hidden areas of the meadow
• Each page has a poem
• Pictures offer clues as to what the poem is about
• The explanation of each poem and what animal or plant they are referring to is written in paragraph form, not in poetic form

Classroom Application:

•  This book would work very well in a science unit, especially one focusing on animals around us.  In regards to a science lesson, this book might be used in chunks instead of all the way through, depending on what the focus is.
• This book would also be a good reference book if the students were to find facts about a certain plant or animal.

*Another good informational poetry book by Joyce Sidman is: Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night (2011 Newbery Honor Book)

For more information visit: Amazon and Scholastic

 

A Kick in the Head: An Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms by Paul B. Janeczko

Picture and Information from Scholastic.com

ISBN#: 0763641324
Publisher: Candlewick
Year: 2009
Grade Level Equivalent: 5.2
Lexile Measure: NA
Interest Level: Grades 3-5

Themes:

• Poetry
• Writing Styles
• English

Main Ideas:

• Through this collection of poems, children are introduced to a variety of poetic forms by experiencing these fun and exciting completed works.
• Each poem has a fun and exciting illustration that helps interpret the poem and bring it to life
•  Essential, they are poems about poems
• Every page has a couplet and persona
• At the end of the book, there is a complete list of the poems and what type of poetry they are and how that poetic form works

Application to the Classroom:

• This book would be great for an ELA classroom.
• It would be especially useful for a poetry unit because it not only shows the different types of poetic forms, but also gives students a lot of models.
• This book really exemplifies how fun poetry can be for students

Concept Books

What Are Concept Books?
Concept books are books that explore age appropriate concepts such as counting, shapes, patterns, time, opposites, and the alphabet.  These concepts can also be intangible such as fairness or change. Some concept books tell a story and others do not. These concepts should be presented in an accurate way with descriptions, repetitions, and comparisons.  Concept books have many purposes, but some include: increasing background knowledge, providing insight on an abstract concept, giving students the opportunity to generalize, and developing vocabulary.   Concept books include many examples and non-examples in order to provide children examples.  Good concept books often have labels, illustrative photos, and clear pictures.  Concept books also involve simple words and helpful graphics. Scholastic.com (http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/books-teaching-economic-concepts) provides a good lesson idea for using concept books in the classroom. The math unit uses different concept books to discuss money and the economy at an elementary level. The unit uses different concept books that discuss making decisions with money, banking, saving money, and supply and demand.

Suggested Texts:

 My Five Senses by Margaret Miller

http://www.scholastic.com/
teachers/book/my-five-senses

ISBN-10: 0689820097
Publisher: Aladdin
Year: 1998
Grade Level Equivalent: 1.4
Lexile Measure: 0L or BR (Beginning Reader)

Themes/Main Ideas:

• Science
• Great way to introduce senses to young students.
• Explores the wonders of sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch.  
• Bright pictures and simple text

Connections:

• The book is good for students because it teaches them a concept that is important for them in the world outside of school.

Worthy Notes:

• This book is very good for early elementary students because of ts simplicity and focus.
• This book is also good for ELL students at any level because it has few words and the pictures help illustrate the meanings of the words. 

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/
pete-cat-and-his-four-groovy-buttons

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons by Eric Litwin

ISBN-10: 0062110586

Publisher: Harper Collins

Year: 2012

Grade Level Equivalency: 3rd Grade

Lexile Measure: 350L

Interest Level: Grades K-2

Themes:

• Cats
• Counting and Numbers 
• Music

Main Ideas:

• Pete has four groovy buttons. When one falls off, Pete doesn't cry, he just keeps singing his song
• Pete counts down from four each time a button falls off.
• Free song to download that goes along with the book...very catchy and cute

Honors: 2013 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book

Worthy Notes:

• Comedy book that students will love.
• A very well written book that students will love. 
• Teaches them a simple concept in a fun and exciting way.
• Also teaches them to find the best in every situation.

http://www.scholastic.com/
teachers/book/each-kindness

Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson

ISBN-10: 03992465524

Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books

Year: 2012

Grade Level Equivalent: 2.7

Lexile Measurement: 640L

Themes:

• Character Education
• Loneliness
• Fitting In
• Kindness and Compassion
• Friends and Friendship

Main Ideas:

• Chloe and her friends won't play with the new girl, Maya
• Maya tries to join them, but they reject her every time.
• Eventually, Maya plays along, and then stops coming to school altogether. 
• Chloe learns that she lost an opportunity to make a friend and how it would have been better if she could have shown some kindness toward Maya.
• Kindness has a ripple effect

Honors: 2013 Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book

Connections:

• Good for the classroom when you have a new student or if there are just some problems with students not being nice.  
• Great book for students of almost any age, but can be read by students as young as 2nd grade.
• Good book to strike up a discussion about kindness

http://www.amazon.com/Building-Igloo-Ulli-
Steltzer/dp/0805063137/ref=
sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1365828936&sr
=1-1&keywords=building+an+igloo

Building An Igloo by Ulli Steltzer

ISBN-10: 0805063137

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.

Year: 1999

Grade Level Equivalent: 3.9

Lexile Measure: 720L

Interest Level: Grades K-2

Themes:

• Architecture
• Native American

Autobiography/Biography

 What is an autobiography? What is a biography?

Both autobiographies and biographies are accounts of a persons individual life.  An autobiography is typically written by the individual whose life it is about.  Autobiographies can vary in their artistic and writing approach.  Some may be intentionally entertaining and others may be informative.  They are meant to be accurate in regards to the hard facts.  A biography is a work that describes a life.  It includes an overview of the person's life, including the basic facts such as education, work, relationships, and death.  These works are written by a person whose life is not written about. Like autobiographies, biographies are also accurate when it comes to hard facts.  However, differences in hard facts might vary from each other as a person explores numerous biographies about one person.  Biographies might derive from controversies.  Biographies can be written by anyone and about anyone. 
Biographies and autobiographies are very useful in the classroom.  They provide insight about a specific person of study.  An autobiography is particularly important because it allows students to receive the information first hand.  Autobiographies and biographies can play a role in nearly every content area in elementary school.  It is important for students to get to know the people that are well known in their content area.  Social studies is particularly popular for using autobiographies and biographies in their classes.

Mr. Williams by Karen Barbour

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/mr-williams

ISBN-10: 0805067736
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Year: 1999
Grade Level Equivalency: 2.7
Lexile Measure: 790L


Themes:

• Social Studies
• Character and Values
• Geography and Map Skills
• African American

Main Ideas:

• Mr. J.W. Williams is not famous, but he is a real person
• He was born the same year as Martin Luther King Jr.
• Lived in Louisiana
• Tells about childhood in the 1930s on a Louisiana farm with pigs and chickens, but no electricity
• Mr. Williams saw many changes during his lifetime
• Good for learning about a specific time period

http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/2011/07/14/
childrens-book-review-child-of-the-civil-rights-movement
-by-paula-young-shelton/

Child of the Civil Rights Movement by Paula Young Shelton & Raul Colon

ISBN-10: 0375843140

Publisher: Schwartz & Wade

Year: 2009

Lexile Measure: AD960L

Interest Level: Ages 4-8

Awards & Honors: Children's Book Committee Bank Street College of Education Children's Choices: Best Books of 2011

Themes/Main Ideas:

• A book about children who lived during the Civil Rights Movement
• About one little girl's life and experiences
• In the form of a narrative, not factual
• It only refers to people by their first names, so it can be difficult to know who the author is talking about.
• There is more about the people in the back of the book

http://www.amazon.com/Little-Tiger-Chinese
-Night-Autobiography/dp/0887763200

A Little Tiger in the Chinese Night by Song Nan Zhang

ISBN-10: 0887763200

Publisher: Tundra Books

Year: 1993

Lexile Measure: 890

Interest Level: Ages 10 and up

Themes/Main Ideas:

• Autobiography in art
• He was 3 years old when he saw a tiger
• In the Chinese culture, this is meant to be very lucky
• He didn't have good luck in his life though
• Takes place after WWII when the communists were taking over China
• A lot of text on the pages
• Tells his story through pictures as well as words
• Song Nan Zhang tells of his family, his development as an artist, and his journey to Canada

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/
abe-lincoln-goes-washington

Abe Lincoln Goes to Washington: 1837-1865 by Cheryl Harness

ISBN-10: 1426304366

Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books

Year: 2008

Grade Level Equivalent: 4.7

Lexile Measure: 790L

Themes:

• Civil War Period and Reconstruction
• American Civil War
• Slavery 
• Underground Railroad
• Abolition
• Equality
• Fairness
• Justice
• The Presidency
• Historic Figures
• Leadership

Main Ideas:

• Tells about Abe meeting and marrying a Kentucky woman
• Abe became a lawyer and politician in Springfield, IL
• Tells of Lincoln's rise and the tensions that dragged the nation into conflict
• Maps and battle scenes help engage the reader even deeper
• Awesome illustrations

Memoirs

 What is a Memoir?
A memoir is a unique type of autobiography.  This usually involves a public portion of the writers life and relates it back to a person, historic event, or thing.  The author explains his/her personal knowledge and/or experiences.  An autobiography covers the entire life of the author and is more likely to include details. A memoir should be true, and the author shouldn't stray from the truth when telling their story.  Memories can always be faulty, so in that sense, the authors get a little leeway.  However, the authors should still be honest and double check their facts to make sure that they are accurate.   A memoir includes events in the person's life that are meaningful and relative to the book that is being written.  The author reflects on the experience and has been enlightened by a new understanding or lesson that they have learned because of these events.  Usually, the events have changed the author's view of the world.
(http://www.barbaradoyen.com/writing-nonfiction/what-is-a-memoir-what-makes-a-memoir-different-from-an-autobiography-or-biography)
 There are many ways to use memoirs in the classroom.  Like the biographies and autobiographies, it is helpful for the the students to read about an author first-hand.  It would also be good for the students to write a memoir about themselves.  This would be a good beginning of the year or end of the year activity for students to do in order to express themselves and what they have experienced in life so far.  Scholastic (www.searchgol.com/?affID=119351&babsrc=NT_ss&mntrId=64AFAC81126F64C8) provides a list of memoirs written by students.   These would be helpful for the students to read as models for what their own memoirs might look like. 

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/through-my-eyes

Through My Eyes by Margo Lundell

ISBN-10: 0590189239

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Year: 1999

Grade Level Equivalency: 5.6

Lexile: 860L

Interest Level: Grades 3-5

Main Ideas and Themes:

• About 6 year old Ruby Bridges
• Story of her role in the desegregation of schools
• African Americans
• History
• Elementary School
• Civil Rights
• Courage, bravery, heroism

Qualities and Connections:

• It is written from the point of view of Ruby Bridges.  
• It has good emotional ties to the events.
• The pictures are very real and fitting for the book.  They are moving but yet are appropriate for the students who would be reading the book.
• A lot of global connections could be made to the book.  The question could be asked, have these issues been resolved?

Some background information of the Civil Rights Movement would be good for the students to have before reading this book.  The background information would make the text more meaningful to them.

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/drawing-memory

Drawing From Memory by Allen Say
ISBN-10: 0545176866
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Year: 2011
Grade Level Equivalency: 3
Lexile: 560L
Interest Level: Grades 5-8



Main Ideas:

• Boy is shunned by his dad
• Dad doesn't want him to be an artist
• Boy wants to be an artist
•  Takes place during WWII
• True story about the authors journey
• Develops a mentor relationship with Noro Shinpei (Japan's famous cartoon artist)
• Worked hard to get to where he is today

Themes:

• Arts and Creativity
• World War II
• Individuality

Qualities and Connections:

• 2012 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor Book
• Part memoir, part graphic novel, part narrative history
• Presents a real-life relationship between a mentor and his student
• The book includes watercolor paintings, original cartoons, vintage photographs, and maps

In the Classroom...

• Great book to use in an author study
• Good for a different view of history and what people went through in WWII
• Also good for art class

http://www.amazon.com/My-Pig-Amarillo-Satomi-Ichikawa/dp/B0012NZNCE/
ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1364401656&sr=1-1&keywords=my+pig+amarillo

My Pig Amarillo by Satomi Ichikawa
ISBN-10: 0399237682
Publisher: Philomel
Year: 2003
Age Range: 4-8 years old


Main Ideas:

• The pig and Pablito are best friends
• Pig is unusual because he is yellow
• Comes home one day and the pig is gone
• Pablito is devastated and doesn't know what to do
• Grandfather teaches him how he can write messages to Amarillo
• This helps him say good bye

Themes:

• Love
• Friendship
• Letting Go
• Saying Good Bye

Qualities and Connections:

• Many students have pets, so this book is easily relateable for them.
• Some students may use this grieving technique in their own lives 
• Good set up for good discussion about letting go of things

In the Classroom:

• Good if students have recently had an issue with the death of a pet
• I don't know if I would use it in the context of a person dying, but it might work out depending on how the book was used.

Personal Narratives

About Personal Narratives:

Personal narratives are generally the first type of writing that a child does.  Author's write about themselves and experiences that they have had, they have heard of, or that they have read about.  In order to make the experience come to life for the audience, these books often involve a lot of description, a lot of action, and a lot of dialogue.  (http://www.iss.k12.nc.us/writing/desc_p.htm).  These texts might be written in first person.  It can tell the audience about a single life event, or a story over the course of numerous daily routines.  (http://wiki.kdl.org/pmwiki.php/Main/PersonalNarrative).  

Personal narratives are very effective in the classroom.  They are really good at fostering both writing and reading.  Students are mostly successful at narrative writing because they know the most about their life and experiences so they are excited about telling people about it. Personal narratives are also fun for kids to read.  They tell the author's story and often times it is a story that children can relate to.  Often times, the story teaches the kids a lesson that the author learned.  Usually, the reading and the writing use of personal narratives can be linked together.  Students can learn about writing personal narratives by reading them.

 
Suggested Texts

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/kissing-han

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

ISBN#:  0756992990
Publisher: Perfection Learning
Year: 2010
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.3
Lexile Measure: 520L
Interest Level: PreK-1 

Themes:

• Confronting and Resolving Fears
• Back-to-School
• Experiences
• Parents

Main Ideas:

•  Story of a raccoon who faces his first day of school and needs reassurance.  
• Mother Raccoon comes up with a way of showing Baby Raccoon that she is always with him even when he can't see her.  
• By kissing his palm, Baby Raccoon can hold onto his mother's kiss.
• Whenever feeling like he misses his mom at school, he can place his palm on his cheek and feel his mother's love.
• Mother Raccoon assures him that the kiss won't wash off

Classroom Application:

• This book is perfect for children in their early years of school
• This would be good for students who miss their parents or struggle leaving them at the beginning of the school day.
• I know many teachers who have suggested this book to parents whose kids struggle going to school, and I have heard that it is successful.
• My little sister and brother struggled going to school in Kindergarten and 1st grade.  My mom used this book and it worked.  They did the kissing hand every morning before the bus came.  

Amen! by Christine Heim

Grade Level: upper elementary

• This short story is found online...here is a link to the location (note: there are also a number of other personal narratives included on the same page).  http://www.uen.org/utahlink/tours/tourElement.cgi?element_id=29018&tour_id=15574&category_id=24353
• This is a short personal narrative
• It is about a girl who is nervous about speaking in front of the class
• Good for a speech unit in a language arts class

Remember World War II: Kids Who Survived Tell Their Stories 

by Dorinda Makanaonalani Nicholson

Book Details:

• Grade Level: 6th
• Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books (June 1, 2005)
• ISBN-10: 0792271793
• ISBN-13: 978-0792271796

Applying to ELA Common Core:

• CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.2 Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
• By reading this book, students should be able to identify a central theme and concept.  
• Through adequate teacher questioning, students should be able to form opinions about the content of this book as well.  If not opinion, they could at least state their personal feelings toward the war and how it effected people involved.

Overview of Content

• Starts before the war and talks about how it began in Germany
• Inserts of pictures and real artifacts
• Includes journal entries
• Talks about different parts of the war that isn't usually talked about in history class
• Moves to Pearl Harbor
• Good pictures
• Highly recommended
• Contains pictures and biographies of people who participated

 

Picture from Amazon.com

 

Halloween by Jerry Seinfeld

ISBN#: 0316035971

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Year: 2008

Reading Level: 5th Grade

Themes:

• Holiday
• Personal Experience
• Memory

 Main Ideas:

• Jerry Seinfeld uses this humorous book to tell his audience the memories he has of Halloween
• Some of the things he remembers include the cheap masks breaking, over-sized Superman costumes, wearing a winter coat over his costume, and trying to trick-or-treat when he was too old.
• This book is funny for people because we can relate to a lot of his experiences
• I think this is why the book is a 5th grade level, because of the humor and mocking nature of it.