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